Britain’s First Labour Government

JOHN SHEPHERD is currently visiting Professor of History at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. His most recent books include George Lansbury: At the Heart of Old Labour (2002), and (jointly edited with Chris Wrigley) On The Move: Essays in Labour and Transport History (1991). He has also been a contributor to BBC Radio Four and BBC local radio. KEITH LAYBOURN is Professor of History at the University of Huddersfield, UK. He has published over 60 articles and thirty books including Britain on the Breadline: A Social and Political History of Britain 1918-1939 (1

'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 History Magazine '...this is an important monograph, providing essential elements in any personal evaluation of Labour's action in 1924...The book has a fairly detailed Index and the state-of-the-art Bibliography (including recent Ph.D. theses) will be found invaluable for students and teachers alike.' - Antoine Capet, Cercles

• From Foundation Conference to Government Over the Threshold Labour Takes Office Domestic Policies Minority Government Foreign and Imperial Policy Downfall Political Aftermath Conclusion