Keeping the Red Flag Flying
The Labour Party in Opposition since 1922
1. Edition April 2024
256 Pages, Softcover
General Reading
Short Description
Labour leader Harold Wilson was once asked how difficult he found being prime minister of the United Kingdom. 'Not half as difficult as being Leader of the Opposition', he replied. Sadly for the Labour Party, much of the last century has been spent in shadow government. But were these wasted years in the Party's history? Or did they offer vital opportunities for creation and improvement?
In Keeping the Red Flag Flying political historians Mark Garnett, Gavin Hyman and Richard Johnson offer the first in-depth account of Labour's periods out of office since becoming the Official Opposition in 1922. They argue that, far from being barren periods in the Party's history, Labour's opposition years from MacDonald to Starmer have been undervalued and misunderstood. Across the book's eight chapters they scrutinise Labour's approach to reforming the party machinery, its development of policy proposals, its success in appealing to the wider electorate and its skill in opposing the government to identify the key hallmarks of successful opposition, as well as common mistakes. As the Labour Party prepares for a long-awaited return to government, this insightful book on Labour's past has vital lessons for the Party's future.
Labour leader Harold Wilson was once asked how difficult he found being prime minister of the United Kingdom. 'Not half as difficult as being Leader of the Opposition', he replied. Sadly for the Labour Party, much of the last century has been spent in shadow government. But were these wasted years in the Party's history? Or did they offer vital opportunities for creation and improvement?
In Keeping the Red Flag Flying political historians Mark Garnett, Gavin Hyman and Richard Johnson offer the first in-depth account of Labour's periods out of office since becoming the Official Opposition in 1922. They argue that, far from being barren periods in the Party's history, Labour's opposition years from MacDonald to Starmer have been undervalued and misunderstood. Across the book's eight chapters they scrutinise Labour's approach to reforming the party machinery, its development of policy proposals, its success in appealing to the wider electorate and its skill in opposing the government to identify the key hallmarks of successful opposition, as well as common mistakes. As the Labour Party prepares for a long-awaited return to government, this insightful book on Labour's past has vital lessons for the Party's future.
Preface and Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: In Pursuit of an 'Insane Miracle' (1922-29)
Chapter 2: A Battle Over Peace (1931-1940)
Chapter 3: In Opposition to the Wartime Government (1940-45)
Chapter 4: 'Fight, Fight, and Fight Again' (1951-1964)
Chapter 5: Yesterday's Men (1970-74)
Chapter 6: Impossible Promises and Far-Fetched Resolutions (1979-1987)
Chapter 7: Thatcher's Greatest Achievement? (1987-97)
Chapter 8: In New Labour's Shadow (2010-2024)
Conclusion
Bibliography
Notes
John McDonnell MP, former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
"This important and novel book concentrates on the large majority of the historic years which the British Labour Party has spent in opposition. The authors demonstrate how the successes or failures of its rare times in government were often predetermined by the decisions or preparations made or not made during those crucial years of internal party warfare when out of office. We await the coming election to see if any new Labour government is similarly helped or hindered by Labour's activities since it was last ejected from office in 2010."
Bernard Donoughue, adviser to prime ministers Harold Wilson and Jim Callaghan
"The Labour Party has spent more time in opposition than it would ever have wanted. The use it has made of that time constitutes an important aspect of our democracy and has done much to define the terrain on which the political battle is fought. How well it has been done, and what could have been done better, are the questions posed (and knowledgeably and authoritatively answered) by this important book."
Bryan Gould, former Labour MP and Shadow Cabinet Minister
"This authoritative book provides us, for the first time, with an extensive account of Labour's periods of opposition over the last century. Out of power Labour can turn inwards, even turn on itself, or it can look outwards and present a vision of change. Too often, notably in the recent past, it has opted for the former and in so doing deflected the limitless energy demanded for the latter. Keeping the Red Flag Flying is exactly what is needed for a vibrant Labour Party: in opposition, and in power."
Richard Leonard MSP, former leader of the Scottish Labour Party "This book is a very considerable achievement. With admirable clarity and verve, it explains why Labour has so often spent long periods in opposition and the lessons this offers the Party today."
Patrick Diamond, co-chair of Policy Network
"This book breaks new ground by examining Labour not through its rather sparse experience of government but through its much more extensive experience of opposition. Lively and provocative it throws new light on why the party so often fails, and why it occasionally succeeds. An important and timely contribution."
Andrew Gamble, University of Sheffield
Gavin Hyman is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University.
Richard Johnson is Senior Lecturer in the School of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary, University of London.
