Why had the Labour Party replaced the Liberal Party as the 'second party' in British politics by 1929?

Question 1

Popularity of Labour Party Ideology

Organisation

Answer 1

Labour emerged united from war, new constitution (Feb 1918) following Henderson’s resignation in 1917 (Stockholm conference)
War - ministers experience in government.

Question 2

Popularity of Labour Party Ideology

Constitution features

Answer 2

Commitment to redistribution of wealth via taxation, support for trade unions + nationalisation of industry (Clause IV).
Lab became the reformist party with socialist policies. Appealed to W-C and replaced Liberals.

Question 3

Liberal Party’s Post-War Mistakes

Political

Answer 3

Continuation of the constitution was unpopular- betrayal of Liberal values. 1918- LG **Libs, 133 **seats, Cons, 335 seats
LG a ‘prisoner of the Conservatives’

Question 4

Liberal Party’s Post-War Mistakes

Lloyd George

Answer 4

1922- ‘cash for honours’ scandal, sold over 100 peerages and 1500 knighthoods for funds
1922 - ‘Chanak Dispute’ on Greek-Turkish border, LG sent troops, seen as heavy handed + ‘sabre rattling’
Popularity at a low, LG Libs win 62 seats, Asquith Libs win 54 seats

Question 5

Impact of Representation of the People Act (ROPA)

Answer 5

Trebled the electorate - 7 million 1910, 21.4 million 1918
Change in demographic- 43% women, 80% working class (men>21, p.owning women>30)

Question 6

Consequence of ROPA reform to electorate

Labour

Answer 6

New working class support, 1918 election, 7% to 22% of vote (proportional to electorate inc), 1929 election, 37% of vote

Question 7

Consequence of ROPA Reform to Electorate

Conservatives

Answer 7

1.6 million w.c voters + property owning women

Question 8

Impact of electoral system (FPTP)

Answer 8

Favours two-party contests. Constituency basis, Lib support spread out, Lab conc. in urban areas, Cons in rural areas.
1918 - average 15,943 votes for Cons MP, 29,868 for Lab MP, 36,116 for Lib MP
1923 - Libs - 29.6% of vote, 25% seats, Cons - 38.1% of vote, 40% seats Lab - 30.5% of vote, 30% seats

Question 9

Impact of FPTP (growing divisions)

Answer 9

Throughout 1920s, ‘class alignment’, w.c voters gravitate to Labour, m+u.c voters rallied around Conservatives.
Liberals became ‘third-party’