The Labor Party of Great Britain won the election more than once convincingly; this once again confirms the functioning and stability of the bipartisan system. Lawmaking and reforms carried out earlier showed this powerful political party as a worthy choice for the British. The history of Great Britain demonstrates the modern model of government, formed during the last century, when the powerful liberal party in the past gave way to the young Labor Party. But at all times, the conservatives really ruled Britain.
Anti-conservative party
The Laborites were able to fully express themselves only when the First World War ended, with the arrival of a strong, bright leader, C. Attlee. In the twenties, the British Labor Party made itself truly known, having twice formed a government with R. MacDonald at the head.
It was in the twenties that party strength and power appeared that did not allow the Labor Party to lose the already won status of the first and main anti-conservative party with the firm intention to defend the interests of the nation at the helm in the next troubled years.
National interests
The Labor Party of Great Britain had a strong leadership, and although the radical members of the party tried to resist, the priority of Laborism was in the desire to become not just an influential movement, but a party in power. There was a period when the Laborites were in opposition, from 1924 to 1929, when their first cabinet fell. It was at this time that principles were formed that to this day defend not national labor but group interests.
It was at the end of the twenties that the deep transformation of the entire party-political system ended, so the constant and justified interest in this period of the party’s existence is very large, because in this short period of time you can trace the entire evolution of political ideas that the Labor Party of Great Britain still preaches.
Analysis of software and theoretical installations
To fully disclose the topic of the article, it is necessary to study all the characteristic features of the organizational and political development that the party underwent in the second half of the twenties, the principles of working with voters, party propaganda work, and it is also necessary to analyze the theoretical programs of the period of work in the opposition.
At the end of the twentieth century, nationwide parties were formed in many states. The Labor Party of Great Britain can serve as an example for studying the process of formation of the opposition, left-wing party in a democratic political system, since the issue of the emergence of new parties in various countries is relevant.
In opposition
Usually, the period of the greatest activity of the community is considered, and the period of maturing of party ideas does not receive sufficient study and coverage in historiography. We will try to correct this omission, since the experience of becoming one of the main parties in the country is interesting not only as the history of Great Britain.
After 1929, while at the helm, in the fight against the crisis of 1931, the Labor Party merely applied what it had accumulated during a quiet period in the opposition. While in the shadows, the Laborites were not idle while other British political parties ruled: they eliminated internal problems, developed a strategy for further politics, learned from the recent past and made plans for the future.
Protest party
It is not necessary to assume that the formation of the first Labor government in 1924 boldly blocked all obstacles in its path, and the victory in the 1929 elections was predetermined. Yes, the Labor Party of Great Britain won a majority in parliament, but this was neither the results of the miscalculations of the previous conservative cabinet, nor any unshakable success laid down in the previous elections.
Indeed, the conservatives did not live up to the hopes of the people, but at that time the Labor Party was just a protest party whose views the people could sympathize with, but hardly trust. The first test by the authorities put all points over and, for the Labor Party, there would obviously not have been enough time to seriously consider the situation and look for their role in it. Therefore, the period of calm was good for the party.
Social Democrats vs. Liberals and Conservatives
The history of Great Britain did not yet know such a test of strength as the Labor Party in defending socialist convictions against the backdrop of expanding the base of the political spectrum. Socialism from the nineteenth century began to spread in many states, but far from immediately he managed to stand in one row, at the same level where conservatives and liberals stood from time immemorial.
There were various ways to establish a socialist ideology, more often - as in Germany or Russia - through revolution, war and blood. The Labor Party in Great Britain won bloodlessly, without any upheaval, organically fit into the system of democracy that existed in the country. She already had a little practice of government, and now the prospect of repeating and consolidating success has become extremely tempting. Therefore, new intonations and new approaches to the propaganda of socialist views were required.
Rivals
Other British political parties have not yet given up. The sluggish liberal party suddenly got a very dangerous leader for the Labor Party - D. Lloyd George, who tried to show the country the possibility of a radical, fundamentally different from the ruling conservative course aimed at developing the country with the implementation of very serious and progressive reforms. This was suggested by a party far from a socialist worldview.
The British Labor Party was created precisely for such a struggle, and therefore won. But, most likely, the liberals were just a little late: a little earlier such a clash would be fatal for the Labor Party, but now they used the quiet time to accumulate political forces. The character of the party was evaluated and reassessed under new, radically changed conditions, the worldview strengthened, the realization of goals achieved and the definition of new ones had already taken place.
History of creation
The Labor Party of England was founded as a working representative committee in 1900. At first, it included mainly workers, and the leadership kept to the right course of the socialist reformers. In 1906, the name was established: the Labor Party of Great Britain. She was able to appear because the proletariat was active and sought a political role in government.
During World War I, the party leadership was at one with the British government - everyone was waiting for victory over Germany and its allies, Labor leaders entered into a coalition with the government. In 1918, the party proclaimed the construction of socialism in Britain. Socialism in the British sense was not at all what we know: politics was based on the main concepts of Fabian society, when socialism is built slowly, according to plan, without any upheaval in society, and the Independent Workers Party played a large role in the program of the Labor Party that made up the Labor wing.
Labor Theory
The class struggle was not part of the program that was plagued by the opposition, the Laborites advocated the gradual reform of capitalism through the state, and all classes should be involved in this work. In 1929, MacDonald became the head of the second Labor government and carried out reforms, combating unemployment, and improving social insurance.
Then, in 1931, a crisis struck. Reforms were, of course, curtailed; Labor reduced all social security spending. Therefore, the party began to fall apart rapidly. The government resigned, some leaders - MacDonald, J. G. Thomas, F. Snowden - again entered into a coalition with the government and changed the name of the party - it has now become National Labor. In 1932, the entire left group represented by the Independent Labor Party left the Labor Party, and the remaining Labor Party divided into just the Labor Party and the Socialist League.
Prewar and postwar years
When World War II was already on the verge, the ruling conservatives pursued a policy of appeasing Germany, and some Laborites supported the government. When this policy crashed, and Britain itself was threatened with a defeat in the war, the Labor leaders finally stirred. In 1940, they entered the government of W. Churchill, which had just formed.
The election of the leader of the Labor Party in Great Britain turned out to be the right thing, a wave of leftist sentiments in the country rose. And the Labor Party, who proposed a program of social reforms, in 1945 confidently won the election. The government, led by C. R. Attlee, carried out a number of reforms, nationalized the Bank of England, several industries, and paid full compensation to the owners.
Foreign policy
The Labor government of Great Britain supported the aggravation of US relations with the Soviet Union. It was only under tremendous pressure that independence was granted to India, which was completely robbed by the British, in 1947, where in the mid-twentieth century there were less than one percent of the literate population (not educated, but simply knowing the letters). The national liberation movement also forced freedom to Burma and Ceylon in 1948.
And already in 1951, the Labor Party suffered a crushing defeat in the parliamentary elections. The ideas of socialism ceased to be interesting to English society, moreover, they were compromised. As a result, I had to invent something new, abandoning the idea of building socialism. The leader of the Labor Party of Great Britain at that time H. Gateskell headed for democratic socialism, a welfare state with a mixed economy and revolutionary incomes. Unshakable loyalty to the doctrines of NATO was proclaimed here.
Sixties and seventies
In 1964, the Laborites again defeated and formed a government with G. Wilson at the head. Then wages increased, a pension reform was carried out, then the "income policy" began again with the former restrictions on social spending, as a result, in 1970 the Laborites lost and joined the opposition. In 1974 a new victory awaited them. The state of emergency, which the conservatives imposed due to increased strikes, was canceled, the normal working week was restored, and the conflict with the miners was resolved.
The trade unions have signed a contract with the government to stabilize prices and increase social assistance to the population in exchange for the fact that unions will not demand higher wages. The next period in the history of Great Britain was truly fateful. He is associated with the appearance at the head of power Margaret Thatcher.
"The Iron Lady"
A conservative to the marrow of bones, this imperious and strong-willed woman has carried out such reforms from which one can never expect a return to socialist ideas, even in an extremely mild form. Labor adopted reforms so as not to lose the electorate. They supported the privatization of enterprises that were once nationalized by them, a free market economy, and a reduction in social obligations. They were forced to do this.
The Labor Party began the process of modernization, which has not stopped even now, since this movement has become irreversible. Calls for nationalization were deleted from the program, and "new Laborites" appeared. The party became center-left. And only after that, in 1997, they managed to win a difficult election victory. Party programs have become much more vague and aimed at maintaining the stability of British society.
