labour party

Question 1

trade unions

Answer 1

• 1880s, new wave unionism embracing skilled workers + for the masses, paid affordable subscriptions + more aggressive in gaining better conditions, hours + pay
• growth in political ideology + motivation in workers spurred creation of LRC
• TUC formal body of all union movements actual driving force that voted to create LRC + brought all other groups together
• unions motivated more by practical considerations towards improving members living standards. provided main impetus for forming group, provided most of funding + took up main position in party
• trade union movement + trade unionism played a role

Question 2

growth of socialist ideology

Answer 2

• wasn’t just TUs that merged to form the LRC bus also socialists.
• significant proportion of LRC socialist groups who argued for egalitarian society. formed 1991 with program based on Karl Marx ideas + aim to overthrow existing economic + political order, close ties with new unions
• Fabian Society (formed 1884) made of largely affluent intellectuals who favoured gradual process towards socialist goals
• independent Labour Party (formed 1893) influenced by socialist ideology + sought to win representation for w/c in parliament - also part of formation of LRC 9100 + some infleunce within TUC
• socialist ideaology growing in various guises in 1890s + some key figures in formation of LRC (Kier Hardie + MacDonald) had clear interest in socialist ideology
• played role but not representative to portray as driving factor as most members of various labour groups + LRC from 1900 no socialists but from range of ideological backgrounds (ex-Liberals + nonconformists) + LRC omitted from anything overly socialist when setting out aims, for average worker they had no practical permeating infleunce

Question 3

Lyons vs Wilkins case + Taff Vale

Answer 3

• another factor that helped increase militancy + political mindedness of unions
• 1896 Lyons vs Wilkins case
• ASLW taken to court by J. Lyons Sons
• complained striking workers intimidating those wanting to come to work from not striking
• judge sided with employers - made it illegal to picket
• appealed to 1875 Trade Union Act (permitted picketing to get across message but judge help opinion arguing no distinction between this + violent striking)
• judgement took away workers main way of voicing concern + spurred idea w/c representation in parliament neccessary
• Taff Vale Case 1901
• similar case of discriminiation against Unions in Taff Vale
• Taff Vale railway workers gomne on strike about pensions + in anger employers sued them for damages + lost funds
• judges sided with employers + had to pay combined total of £43,000 of fees
• gave LRC cause around which to unite + inspired number of union sot affiliate
• hope greater representation in Parliament would lead to change regarding strike action law

Question 4

intro

Answer 4

• emergence influences by trade unionism but not sole factor
• socialist ideology + changing attitudes of Liberal party played a tole but growing support for wc representation in parliament key reason for emergence of labour party as harsh treatment of employers + unjust ruling of judges brought attention to treatment + gave them reason to look for party that would represent them + needs

Question 5

conclusion

Answer 5

Although other factors played a role such as socialist ideology, it was ultimately wcs growing desire for presentation within parliament that les to emergence of LP
- TU encouraged desire but shallow to suggest its the main reason
- ultimately Lyons vs Wilkins + Taff Vale case that was key turning point for desire for representation within paliament + subsequent emergence of LP