Labours Old and New: The Parliamentary Right of the British Labour Party 1970-79 and the Roots of New Labour (Critical Labour Movement Studies)

This study attempts to understand the complex transition from so-called "Old Right" to "New Right" or "New Labour," and locates some of the roots of the latter in the complexity, tensions, and fragmentation of the former during the "lean" years of social democracy in the 1970s. The analysis addresses both the short- and long-term implications of the emerging ideological, organizational, and political complexity and divisions of the parliamentary Labour right and Labour revisionism, previously concealed within the loosely adhesive post-war framework of Keynesian reformist social democracy. It establishes the extent to which "New" Labour is a legatee of at least some elements of the disparate and discordant Labour right and tensions of social democratic revisionism in the 1970s. This Study Is Concerned With The 'old' Labour Right At A Critical Juncture Of Social Democratic And Labour Politics. It Attempts To Understand The Complex Transition From So-called 'old Right' To 'new Right' Or 'new Labour', And Locates At Least Some Of The Roots Of The Latter In The Complexity, Tensions And Fragmentation Of The Former During The 'lean' Years Of Social Democracy In The 1970s. The Analysis Addresses Both The Short- And Long-term Implications Of The Emerging Ideological, Organisational And Political Complexity And Divisions Of The Parliamentary Labour Right And Labour Revisionism, Previously Concealed Within The Loosely Adhesive Post-war Framework Of Keynesian Reformist Social Democracy, Which Have Been Neglected Factors In Explanations Of Labour's Subsequent Shift Leftwards, The Longer-term Gestation Of The Sdp And The Evolution Of 'new' Labour. It Establishes The Extent To Which 'new' Labour Is A Legatee Of At Least Some Elements Of The Disparate And Discordant Labour Right And Tensions Of Social Democratic Revisionism In The 1970s. In So Doing, It Advances Our Understanding Of A Key Moment In The Development Of Social Democracy And The Making Of The Contemporary British Labour Party. This Book Represents A Significant Departure In Analyses And Explanations Of Both The Problems And Demise Of Post-war Social Democracy And Decline Of 'old' Labour And The Origins And Roots Of 'new' Labour. It Will Be Invaluable To Anyone Interested In The Complex Development Of Recent Labour, Social Democratic And British Politics.--jacket. Introduction -- The Parliamentary Labour Right: Views And Perspectives -- Parliamentary Labour Right Factionalism And Organisational Fragmentation In The 1970s -- A Prelude To Secession? The Parliamentary Labour Right And Europe -- In Place Of Strife? The Parliamentary Labour Right And The Trade Union Question -- The Frontiers Of Social Democracy: Public Expenditure, Redistribution And Divisions Of Social Democratic Political Economy -- The Parliamentary Labour Right, Labour Party Revisionism(s) And The Roots Of New Labour -- Conclusion. Stephen Meredith. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [185]-201)and Index. This is the first in-depth academic study of the ideologial and political character, role and problems of Labour Party revisionism and Labour's 'governing elite' in the social democratic 'lean' years of the 1970s. It provides a major contribution to the understanding of the evolution of the post-war Labour Party and the origins of New Labour. -- .