Anthony Seldon

Kevin Hickson

This book, written by a distinguished selection of academics and commentators, provides the most detailed comparison yet of old and new Labour in power. I

The Wilson and Callaghan Governments, 1974-79

New Labour, Old Labour

Jasper Miles

In November 1980, James Callaghan retired as leader of the Labour Party. He had been on the front line of British politics for many years and was the only person to hold all of the four great offices of state. However, his premiership is seen as a failure, the last gasp of Keynesian social democracy being smothered by the oncoming advent of Thatcherism. This book offers a timely reappraisal of Jim Callaghan’s premiership and time as Leader of the Opposition in 1979–80.

An Underrated Prime Minister?

James Callaghan

Matt Beech

Seeks to examine the key ideas emphasised by the twelve individuals whom the authors judge to have made the most significant development to the political thought of the Labour Party since the 1930s. This book also explores concepts, such as equality, liberty, community, power, the state, ownership and patriotism.

The Intellectual Roots of Labour from Tawney to Gordon Brown

Labour's Thinkers

Raymond Plant

'New Labour' is often accused of being obsessed with style rather than substance, and with image rather ideology. The Struggle for Labour's Soul examines how the party's political thought has developed from 1945 to the present day. It explores the divisions in the Labour Party between the old left, the new left, centrists, the old right and 'New Labour'. These ideological positions are examined in the context of the key political issues of the twenty-first century including constitutional reform, markets, equality, internationalism and globalization. The book concludes with commentaries by renowned experts on the various competing traditions within the party. Featuring contributions by leading academics, journalists and politicians, this is the first major analysis of Labour's political thought for a generation.

Understanding Labour's Political Thought Since 1945

The Struggle for Labour's Soul

Roy Hattersley

In 2010, the Labour Party of Great Britain suffered its worst General Election defeat since the 1930s (with one exception), bringing to an end thirteen years of New Labour government. Since then, the debate over both the legacy of New Labour and the future direction of the party has been widespread, yet so far there has been little consideration from a social democratic perspective. The chapters in this book cover a wide range of issues and provide new perspectives in the areas of economic, social and foreign policy with a central focus on the defence of the state. The chapters on the economy put forward a strategy for economic growth through industrial democracy and collective ownership, whilst in terms of social policy a more radical agenda than New Labour's is advocated, underpinned by stronger notions of social justice, equality and welfare rights. In the context of growing nationalist sentiments and calls for Scottish independence, this book sets out the importance of central state activity, the promotion of a public service ethos and civil liberties and a social democratic approach to the increasingly important issue of national identity. Finally, it sets out an alternative agenda on foreign and defence policy including the promotion of international development and human rights and a reformed Europe. Containing high-profile contributions from journalists, academics, policy-makers and think tanks, The Socialist Way provides new directions for electoral success and argues that there is not a trade-off between power and principle.

Social Democracy in Contemporary Britain

The Socialist Way

This book provides a detailed analysis of the evolution of the Conservative Right in Great Britain since 1945. It first explores the movement’s core ideas and highlights points of tension between its different strands. The book then proceeds with a thematically structured discussion. The Conservative Right’s views on the decline and fall of the British Empire, immigration control, European integration, the British constitution, the territorial integrity of the United Kingdom, Britain’s economy, the welfare state, and social morality and social change are all explored. In the concluding chapter, the author evaluates the extent to which the Conservative Right has succeeded in its core objectives since 1945 and addresses how it can best respond to a contemporary Britain in which it instinctively feels uncomfortable. The book is based on extensive elite interviews and archival research and will be of interest to anyone who seeks to place the contemporary Conservative Right in a greater historical context.

Traditional Toryism in a Cold Climate

Britain’s Conservative Right since 1945

Ben Williams

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of one of the most momentous general elections this country has ever seen. John Major's defeat in 1997 ended a record eighteen years of Tory government, prompting accusations of failure and ignominy. A controversial leader, Major oversaw numerous crises in international and domestic policy. Between 1990 and 1997, he presided over Britain's participations in the Gulf War, the start of the Northern Ireland peace process, the Maastricht Treaty negotiations and, famously, Black Wednesday and Britain's exit from the ERM. Towards the end, Major's government was split over Europe and ridden with allegations of sleaze. Widely criticised by the media and politicians from all parties, Major went on to be crushed by Tony Blair and New Labour in the 1997 general election. An Unsuccessful Prime Minister? is the first wide-ranging appraisal of John Major's government in nearly two decades. This book reconsiders the role of John Major as Prime Minister and the policy achievements of his government. Major's government faced many more constraints and left behind a more enduring legacy than his critics allowed at the time or since.

Kevin Hickson

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