Britain Transformed: Politics- Rise Of Labour And Conservatove Dominance 1924-31 Flashcards
(33 cards)
Who led the first Labour government in Jan 1924?
Ramsay McDonald
What type of government as labour’s 1924 administration?
A minority government dependent on liberal support
What were the key achievements of the 1924 Labour government
-Housing act (provided more money to build council housing)
-Increased unemployment benefits and old age pensions
-Diplomatic recognition of the Soviet Union
-Emphasised moderation to retain liberal support
Why did some labour members become frustrated with the 1934 governent
The government avoided radical reforms, clashing with the National Executive Comimitte’s desire for socialism
Why did the 1924 labour government only last 9 months
-Minority status
-Ecnoic instability, unemployment and class tensions
-Political vulnerability due to reliance on liberal support
-The Campbell Case and Zinoviev Letter scandals
What was the Campbell Case (1924)
Labour withdrew the prosecution of J.R Campbell, a lefty ing journalist, leading to accusations of communist sympathy
What was the Zinoviev Letter and its impact
A forged letter urging British communists to prepare for revolution; published by the Daily Mail to turn voters against Labour
Who became PM after the October 1924 general election
Stanley Baldwin (conservative party)
What were the 1924 general election results
Conservatives- 412 seats
Labour- 151 seats
Liberal- 40 seats
Why did the conservatives win in 1924
-Lberal decline (splits and funding problems)
-Effective use of media
-Baldwin;s image as calm and traditional
-Labour damaged by Campbell case and Zinoviev letter
How did Baldwin appeal to a broad electorate
He distanced the party from harsh conservatism and discouraged attacks on Labour
What happened to the 1925 private members’ bill on union levies?
Proposed to ban Labour from receiving union political levies; failed due to Baldwin’s opposition.
What was the impact of the 1926 General Strike?
Baldwin responded by passing the 1927 Trade Disputes Act.
What were the key features of the 1927 Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Act?
-Banned general and political strikes
-Introduced ‘opt-in’ for union political levies (cut Labour funding by 35%)
-Limited civil service union activity
What did the Equal Franchise Act 1928 do?
Gave all women over 21 the vote, doubling the number of female voters.
Why was the 1929 election called “The Flapper Election”?
It was the first election with full equal voting rights for women (aged 21+).
What were the 1929 general election results?
Labour: 287 seats, Conservatives: 260 seats, Liberals: 59 seats
Why didn’t Labour gain a majority in 1929?
Their votes didn’t fully translate into seats despite the popular vote lead.
Who became Prime Minister after the 1929 election?
Ramsay MacDonald (Labour, minority government).
What type of government did Labour form in 1929?
A minority government, reliant on Liberal support.
What was MacDonald’s approach to governing in 1929?
He aimed to appear moderate and avoided radical socialist reforms due to Liberal pressure.
What were the key social reforms under Labour (1929–1931)?
- Housing Act 1930: Cleared ¾ million slum homes, replaced by modern housing
-Coal Mines Act 1930: Improved miner pay and efficiency (often ignored by owners)
-Amendment to Unemployment Insurance Act: £25 million for public works schemes
What triggered the collapse of the Labour government in 1931?
The Great Depression following the 1929 Wall Street Crash.
