Thorpe, Andrew

Midland History

The debate about the rise of the British Labour party has been long and occasionally bloody. Few explanations of the phenomenon at national level have survived unscathed, however soberly researched and expounded. Partly for this reason, historians have begun to look increasingly towards micro rather than macro explanations: and this shift, involving concentration on individual regions, cities and towns has produced much fascinating work, varying from fairly straight narratives of institutional development to such profound works of historical sociology as Savage's recent book on Preston. Such work is beginning to answer some of the questions begged by nationally-based interpretations. However, the role of individual personalities in the development of local Labour movements has been neglected. Tom Shaw was one of Britain's leading trade unionists and a Labour cabinet minister in the 1920s, yet although he was also M.P. for Preston he only makes five appearances in Savage's book, the most substantial of which is when he comments on the merits of working-men's c1ubs. Insofar as this is a rejection of the ‘great men of history’ approach, it must be welcomed; no single politician could turn a place into a Labour stronghold regardless of the wider social, economic and political background. Yet it is in danger of being taken too far. Labour's development in favourable circumstances could be assisted significantly by the personality of its leading representative there

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J.H. Thomas and the Rise of Labour in Derby 1880-1945

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J.H. Thomas and the Rise of Labour in Derby 1880-1945

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