Table of Contents

Acknowledgements - Abbreviations - Introduction - Creation and Early Years, 1900-14 - The Surge to Second-Party Status, 1914-22 - Progress and Collapse, 1922-31 - Remaking the Party? 1931-9 - The Impact of the Second World War, 1939-45 - The Attlee Governments, 1945-51 - Searching for a New Direction, 1951-64 - Wilson in Power, 1964-70 - Drift to Defeat? 1970-9 - Disaster and Recovery? 1979-92 - New Labour, 1992-2000 - Conclusion - Appendix 1: Seats Won at General Elections, 1900-97 - Appendix 2: Labour Party Leaders - Appendix 3: Labour Cabinets - Notes - Bibliography - Index

About the Author

ANDREW THORPE is Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Exeter.

Reviews

With the next British general election set for May 1 and the most recent polls giving the Labour Party a 25 percentage point lead, the publication of this work occurs with exquisite timing. Thorpe (history, Univ. of Exeter) provides an introduction to the party's history. He begins with its inception as a parliamentary coordinating committee for the Trades Union Congress in 1900 and proceeds to its surprising defeat in the 1992 general election. A slight drawback is the dependence on the table of abbreviations for organizations cited. Thorpe's conclusion summarizes main themes such as the party's popular support and its future prospects. Highly recommended for scholars and informed and lay readers.‘Paul Burnam, Ohio Wesleyan Univ. Libs., Delaware