A Social History of British Labour 1870-1970

This social history looks at the labour movement in Britain from 1870 to 1970. Union and party policy are considered in the context of the aspirations and life-styles of its members, with work on the history of leisure, the family, health, welfare and economic change reflected in the analysis.

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This study attempts to enlarge upon the traditional approach to the labour movement in Britain. Union and party policy is considered in the context of the feelings, aspirations and life-styles of its grassroots members, with recent work on the history of leisure, the family, health and welfare, and economic change reflected in the analysis. One of the major emphases is on regional materials as, too often, the institutional approach focuses on London or at best England. The book is divided into three sections according to date - 1870-1900, 1900-1939 and 1939-1970 - the second of which takes a critical overview of the pre- and post-World War I period. The first and third sections fall neatly around the central element, outlining key factors in the development of labour politics and the influence of World War II on labour politics and the consequent introduction of the welfare state. This book is designed to be of interest to students of modern British history, labour history and politics.