Why London Is Labour - A History of Metropolitan Politics, 1900-2020

This book answers the question why London has been a stronghold for the Labour Party for relatively long periods of the last century and continues to be so to this day to an extent that surprises contemporaries.

The book draws on evidence from history and political sociology as well as the personal experience of the author in London local government during the 1980s. It argues that while changes in the London economy, plus the ability of the party to forge cross-class alliances, can go some way to explain the success of the Labour Party in London, a range of other demographic and social factors need to be taken into account, especially after the year 2000. These include the size of London's growing black and ethnic minority communities; higher concentrations of well-educated younger people with socially liberal values; the increasing support of the middle-classes; the impact of austerity after 2008; and the degree of poverty in London compared to non-metropolitan areas.

This book will be of key interest to readers interested in the history of the Labour Party, the politics of London, Socialist politics/history, British politics/history, government, political sociology, and urban studies.

List of contents

Introduction Part 1: Chronological - From an Imperial Metropolis to a City of Rampant Capitalism 1. 'Labour in an Imperial Metropolis' 2. 'Labour in a Municipal Social Democracy' 3. Labour in a 'City of Rampant Capitalism' Part 2: Thematic - Localities, Workplaces, Trade Unions, Class, Socialism, Personal Identity 4. Localities, Workplaces and Trade Union Organisation 5. Voting and Social Class 6. Party Organisation, Membership and the Influence of Socialism 7. The Politics of Personal Identity: Gender, Race and Religion. Conclusion

About the author

Michael Tichelar is a Visiting Fellow in History at the University of the West of England, UK.

Summary

This book answers the question of why London has been a stronghold for the Labour Party for relatively long periods of the last century and continues to be so to this day to an extent that surprises contemporaries.

Product details

• Authors: Michael Tichelar, Michael (University of the West of Engla Tichelar, Tichelar Michael
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 09.01.2023
• EAN: 9780367672584
• ISBN: 978-0-367-67258-4
• No. of pages: 310
• Series: Routledge Studies in British Politics
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; Sociology, European History, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, HISTORY / Europe / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Public Affairs & Administration, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Urban, Politics & government, Politics and government, Urban communities, Elections & referenda, Regional, state and other local government, Regional government, Elections and referenda / suffrage