Labour Party After 1906 Flashcards
What was the position of the Labour Party after 1906?
As a result of the Lib-Lab pact the LRC won 29 seats. Once in Parliament they renamed themselves the Labour Party. Hardin was elected chairman and Ramsay MacDonald Secretary. The MPs were unable to have a significant impact because of the large Liberal majority and their programme of social reform.
What problems did Labour face?
- the new MPs had limited formal education and administrative experience
- the 30 MPs did not form a strong cohesive body
- Keir Hardie did not have the qualities to hold the Party together
What was the Osborne Judgement?
Osborne, a Liberal MP, challenged the right of his union to demand political levy. The compulsory levies were paying Labour MPs salaries. The House of Lords voted in favour of Osborne. Labour faced a financial crisis and was more reliant on the Liberal Party in the 1910 election.
How did the Labour movement grow?
Between 1906 and 1914 Trade Union membership rose from 900,000 to 1.5 million. In 1914 there were 158 local Labour societies. Party networks were built up.
