Britain’s second Labour government 1929-31: a reappraisal is a timely collection of essays on Labour’s second period in office during the international financial crisis of 1929-1931. Contributions by leading historians and younger academics bring fresh perspectives to Labour’s domestic problems, electoral and party matters, relations with the Soviet Union and ideological questions. In the current political situation of no Parliamentary majority for any one party, this study explores the the politics of a minority administration, dependent on informal Liberal support.
Ramsay MacDonald’s second Labour government impressed few with its conventional policies on unemployment. Oswald Mosley, John Maynard Keynes and Ernest Bevin’s alternative economic strategies are examined by Daniel Ritschel and Chris Wrigley. Nicole Robertson and Clare Griffiths reveal a more positive side of the government’s policies on consumerism and agriculture. Andrew Thorpe analyses the 1929 general election, the first fought on a universal franchise. Robert Taylor and Keith Laybourn explore the intricate politics of the Parliamentary Labour Party and the disaffiliation of the Independent Labour Party. The influence of the Soviet Union on Labour’s thoughts and actions is analysed by Jonathan Davis and John Callaghan in their studies of Labour’s foreign policy and Labour’s turn to socialism after 1931. Richard Carr’s account of opposition politics examines the reaction of Tory politicians, including Harold Macmillan, to MacDonald’s government. David Howell analyses the myths surrounding ‘1931’ in Labour history. Britain’s second Labour government 1929-31: a reappraisal is a major reassessment and makes available new scholarship that will appeal to students and teachers of British political and social history. It is essential reading for sixth form and university courses.