Britains First Labour Government [Hardcover]

This volume is the first major account for nearly fifty years to critically re-assess Labour's first period in office in terms of domestic, foreign and imperial policy. It draws on a wide range of private papers and official sources and reconstructs the history of this forgotten government in the broader social and political context of the 1920s.From Foundation Conference to Government Over the Threshold Labour Takes Office Domestic Policies Minority Government Foreign and Imperial Policy Downfall Political Aftermath Conclusion

'The first Labour government of 1924 is easily the least well-known. John Shepherd and Keith Laybourn provide here a lucid, well-researched account of its complex beginnings, its policies especially in foreign affairs, and the dramatic and mysterious nature of its downfall. They are able to show Ramsay MacDonald's first premiership as an important episode, which raised new social issues, hastened the collapse of the Liberals, and legitimized Labour as a party of power.' - Professor Kenneth Morgan, Brunel University, London

'A much-needed reappraisal of the first Labour government, based on thorough archival research and a command of the secondary sources, Britain's First Labour Government fills a major gap in twentieth-century British history. Astute and a pleasure to read, it very ably reassesses the record of Ramsey MacDonald and his colleagues. A major and impressive contribution to twentieth-century British history and to the history of the Labour Party.' - Professor Chris Wrigley, The University of Nottingham

'In this ground-breaking and fascinating assessment of the first Labour government, the authors skilfully show how courageously the 'new boys (and girls)' on the block asserted both their independence and their principles.' - Professor Denis Judd, London Metropolitan University

'A welcome and well-researched reassessment of the first Labour government of 1924.' - BBC Histls4