I've an article in the latest edition of Progress on why Labour should learn from the failure of the centre left to cope with the economic malaise of the 1920s and 30s, and suggests there are parallel challenges for the left today. Let me know what you think.
It contains a mention of one of my favourite neglected giants of Labour history, Christopher Addison, who was Lloyd George's minister for health and housing in the post WW1 Coalition government and Leader of the House of Lords in Attlee's government. In many ways, he was Lloyd-George's Bevan. Like one of my other great heroes, Jim Griffiths, he seems to now be almost totally ignored in the story the Labour party tells about itself, so obsessed are we by our early succession of failed leaders, traitors and charismatic figures in unpopular factions, like the titular Jenny Lee.
Mind you, I have mellowed. I used to say that the reason I hated George Lansbury was that in the course of a thirty year career in frontline politics, his only concrete achievement was a Lido.
Now, a little older, I reflect that a Lido is more than I can say for myself!
Sorry for the headline pun.
Well, I think George was a Brick. Specifically the bricked in plaque on the first council house to be let on the Dormanstown Estste near to Middlesbrough, and where his role as Commissioner for Works was commemorated and celebrated.
TW love the Gove O Level maths to get in
Ah, but who got the law on the statute book? Addison!
Depressingly, I get the Mathis wrong surprisingly often…
Tick, v good piece – and well worth reading if for nothing other than the Sir Alfred Mond quote. So many clever people even today are still adept at describing the horrors of those diseases known as capitalism and/or neolibralism to say nothing of new-Labourism … and then, when it comes to the remedies, saying very little that's worth hearing.
Still it's all a bit depressing what with the prospect of campaigning on a "horrid times ahead but not quite as awful as being under the Coalition" (things can only get better?) ticket. Only 1,030 campaigning days to go, …