Its rise, fall and parallels with today

After the 1923 UK general election one-tenth of the Labour Party’s MPs represented Lancashire constituencies, as did nearly one in five of the first Labour Cabinet.

The Labour government was expected to fail and the Housing Act was their only significant legislative success. They did little to tackle increasing unemployment. Ramsay MacDonald, Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, came under attack, both personally and for the withdrawal of the Workers’ Weekly prosecution. Labour lost a censure vote over the latter and resigned after nine months. In the 1924 general election Labour’s credibility was further damaged but their vote increased, replacing the Liberals as the main party of opposition to a revived Conservative party.

There are several parallels to today – indeed, even since the book was written, their number continues to increase.

For example: Which party sets the agenda and which follows? Which party demonstrates greater credibility and is more likely to deliver their promises? What price trust in politics and politicians?