Labour s Civil Wars How Infighting Keeps the Left From Power And - What Can Be Done About It

The biblical adage that 'if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand' remains sound theological advice. It also essential counsel for any political party that aspires to win elections. When a party is riven with division people do not know what it stands for. Though both major parties have been subject to internal conflict over the years, it is the Labour Party which has been more given to damaging splits. The divide exposed by the Corbyn insurgency is only the most recent example in a century of destructive infighting. Indeed, it has often seemed as though Labour has been more adept at fighting itself than in defeating the Tory party. This book examines the history of Labour's civil wars and the underlying causes of the party's schisms, from the first split of 1931, engineered by Ramsay MacDonald, to the ongoing battle for the future between the incumbent, Keir Starmer, and those who fundamentally altered the party's course under his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn.

List of contents

Chapter 1: Introduction – Why Labour is given to civil wars

Chapter 2: Government or opposition: The 1931 split and the fall of Ramsay MacDonald

Chapter 3: Revisionists Versus Fundamentalists: Gaitskell and Bevan at War 1951 – 64

Chapter 4: The Bennite Revolt and the Birth of the Social Democratic Party: Healey, Benn and Jenkins 1964 – 1987

Chapter 5: New Labour: Blair and Brown’s “Dual” Premiership 1997 – 2010

Chapter 6: The Left insurgency, Corbyn’s Leadership, and the succession of Keir Starmer

Chapter 7: Conclusion: The Way Ahead

About the author

Patrick Diamond is a reader in public policy at the Queen Mary University of London. He is the author of numerous books, including The British Labour Party in Opposition and in Power 1979-2019. Giles Radice is a Labour member of the House of Lords. He served as chairman of the Treasury Select Committee under Tony Blair between 1997 and 2001. His previous books include A Love Affair with Europe and Friends and Rivals: Crosland, Jenkins and Healey.

Summary

This book examines the history of Labour's civil wars and the underlying causes of the party's schisms, from the first split of 1931, engineered by Ramsay MacDonald, to the ongoing battle for the future between the incumbent, Keir Starmer, and those who fundamentally altered the party's course under his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn.

Additional text

"Two renowned commentators, historians⁠—and players⁠—in Labour's life, offer a cool assessment of times past together with some wise suggestions on how not to repeat past failings to avoid future civil wars. These insiders, albeit with academic detachment, write in a time of peace but draw on battles fought and lost to offer new insights into some troubled years."

— Dianne Hayter, Baroness of Kentish Town

"The British tradition of social democracy has needed a powerful shot of political and analytical adrenaline for a long time. Diamond and Radice, bearing a large syringe, are about to administer it."

— Peter Hennessy, coauthor of The Complete Reflections: Conversations with Politicians

"Patrick Diamond and Giles Radice have written the best, highly readable history of the Labour party and its civil wars that I have ever come across. Coming from different political generations but with a shared commitment to the success of social, democratic politics, Diamond and Radice tell a sad but gripping story of repeated cycles of political failure, bitter division and Left self-destructiveness, broken only by Attlee's victory in 1945, Wilson's in 1964 and Blair's three election victories in 1997. It is a must read for anyone who cares about Labour's future. In its concluding chapter it sets out a compelling vision of what Labour should stand for today and how the Labour party that Keir Starmer has so bravely reformed, can win and hold power to achieve profound and lasting political change."

— Lord Roger Liddle

"Bloodcurdling strife has bedevilled the Labour party, as social democrats and socialists found fighting each other easier than defeating the real enemy. Here is a riveting account of that warfare: from Ramsay McDonald, to Bevan, Benn, and Blairites v Corbynism, these are tales of woe that helped keep Conservatives in power for most of our lives. But lifting our sights, these two fine writers, historians and Labour aficionados offer ways to avoid an internecine future 'if diverse ideological perspectives are welcomed and not merely tolerated.' One side winning is no answer: Blair was too controlling, Corbynites too insular when Labour needs to be a 'a national party of the widest coalition of interest.' Enjoy the riveting stories of bygone battles - and take hope that Labour can avoid repeating that fratricide in the future."

— Polly Toynbee

"Diamond and Radice conclude that ‘the goal of unity cannot override the imperative of a viable strategy for winning power’. . . . In short, political unity is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for long-term electoral success. This conclusion is right and also important, since so many people continue to argue that discussion should be avoided because of the dangers of creating a ‘divided party.'"

— Literary Review

Product details

• Authors: Patrick Diamond, Patrick Radice Diamond, Diamond Patrick, Giles Radice, Radice Giles
• Publisher: Haus Publishing
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.05.2022
• EAN: 9781913368593
• ISBN: 978-1-913368-59-3
• No. of pages: 240
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Contemporary history (1945 to 1989); Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; Political Parties, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / Political Parties, Politics & government, Politics and government, Political parties and party platforms