Why did Labour rise is popularity? (1a) Flashcards
How did the Labour party being a developed grassroots organisation help them to rise in popularity?
Union backing provided funding for the party, they could develop as a national political machine
In 1917 they began to develop local party branches - by 1924 only 19 constituencies did not have a labour branch
How did the effective leadership of Arthur Henderson in 1914-1917 help Labour rise in popularity?
He was able to reflect a consensus view of the Labour movement
He was the first Labour leader to gain respect at cabinet level
How did the representation of the people act help Labour rise in popularity?
It allowed more working class men to vote and women which could have affected the amount of support for Labour, however the full extent of this is unknown
How many seats did the Labour party win in 1918?
57
How many seats did the Labour party win in 1922?
142
What year did Labour form a minority gov. and how many seats did they win?
Dec 1923
191 seats
When Labour formed a minority gov. in December 1923, how many Liberal seats supported them?
158
Why did the Conservatives win the 1924 election and not Labour?
The Labour party were tainted with accusations of Soviet sympathies
How many seats did Labour win in the 1929 election and did they form the government?
287 - yes they formed a minority gov. which lasted until 1931
What was the 1931 General Election like for labour?
They only won 46 votes, losing many of their leading politicians
When did the Labour party form?
1900 - it was the youngest major political party at the time
Where did the Labour party emerge from?
The Labour Representation Committee of the Trades Union Congress - therefore they were closely tied to trade unions
What did Labour being closely tied to trade unions mean for their voters?
THe working man had a cause they wanted to vote for
When was the law passed, allowing MPs to receive a wage?
1911
How did the ROPA act help the labour party?
(1918) tripled the size of the British electorate which included nearly all working men
Why was the preservation of party unity a factor in why the Labour party grew?
Because of how they were formed (through the TUC), this gave them a strong following in the working class.
When was division within the party healed?
It was healed in 1917 when Labour ministers pulled out of the wartime coalition
How did Labour begin to branch away from the Liberals and how did this make them more popular?
They started to promote free trade, internationalism, social reforms and nationalisation.
This was very popular with the working classes.
What context could be used in order to show how Labour was not solely responsible for their rise?
Knighthood Scandal
Maurice Debate
Coupon Election
What was Labour’s reputation following the 1924 minority govt.?
Economic caution and competence in foreign affairs whilst rebutting the Libs attempts to discredit Labour politicians.
