Protest and Power : the Forty Year Battle for the Labour Party

**__The Battle for the Labour Party__ was first published in 1981 and was referenced by** **Tony Benn in his 1980-1990 diaries as 'a valuable guide to the developments within the Labour party at this time'.** This re-issue is an essential resource for all who are interested in understanding the history of the Labour Party. The continuing power struggle within the Labour Party has raged for decades and has had drastic effects on its popularity and credibility. Since the 1982 party conference the division between the Left and Right has sharpened. Tony Benn's attempts to get into the shadow cabinet, the defection of members to the SDP, the Militant inquiry and the Tatchell affair have all added to this general disenchantment. This updated edition accurately describes how these events have developed. There are two additional chapters which deal with the activities of New Left groups in London boroughs, and with the fightback of the... 'A meticulously researched and balanced history' The Times 'Highly-readable and well-researched ' The Sunday Times 'Faultless account of the twists and turns undertaken by the hard left of the Labour Party to retain relevance and the hope of power' James O'Brien, TLS ' A very good book , probably the most even-handed of all the accounts of Corbyn's rise to power ' Guardian ' Timely new book about Labour ' Independent The battle for the Labour party is dramatic and intense. This is its definitive history. Labour has shifted from the New Left, to New Labour, to Corbynista Labour. Now, it may see power again with a most unlikely group of activists from the 1970s becoming the fourth generation to win power since 1945. Only Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson and Tony Blair have won power from a sitting Conservative government. Of the ten general elections since 1979, Labour has won three, all under Blair. This record of failure, if applied to any other walk of life, would raise the fundamental question of why continue to fight a losing battle? For Labour, it asks whether it is a party of protest – designed only to be a voice from opposition, commenting on the flaws and falsities of Conservative police – or a party of power? Including exclusive interviews with key party members from the 1970s to today including Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, Ed Miliband and Jon Lansman; and the party's recent struggles with antisemitism and Brexit, this book chronicles the conflicts within the Labour party, the schisms between ideologues and pragmatists, and how these fissures seem destined to keep Labour in opposition. Under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, Labour moves further to the left. For the first time since the 1970s, socialism is back on the agenda, and in an historic first, it defines the leadership. But clashes of ideology, tactics and styles have been the story of the Labour Party for the last 70 years and traditional leadership is often thought to fail. Could things be different with Corbyn? The answer lies in examining the party's history from 1979 to the present.0The forty year conflict within Labour is a fascinating story dominated by powerful political operators. Particularly trying times included the 1950s campaigns over nuclear disarmament and in the 1970s and 1980s over the perceived treachery of the Wilson and Callaghan governments, and their attempts to take power through internal changes with periodic challenges to the Labour leadership. Then there were the Blair Brown years and Iraq.0The strategies used to elect Jeremy Corbyn have been used to create a new mass movement on the left that is moving again to control the machinery of the Labour Party. However, the history of the Labour Party shows that groups that are dominant in one political generation do not necessarily cement that dominance. The left learnt this in 1983, New Labour in 2010. 0This book chronicles the battles within the Labour Party, the schisms between idealogues and pragmatistists, and how the fissures within the Labour Party seem destined to keep Labour in opposition The Battle For The Labour Party Was First Published In 1981 And Was Referenced By Tony Benn Referenced In His 1980-1990 Diaries, Who Described It As 'a Valuable Guide To The Developments Within The Labour Party At This Time'. This Re-issue Is An Essential Resource For All Who Are Interested In Understanding The History Of The Labour Party. The Continuing Power Struggle Within The Labour Party Has Raged For Decades And Has Had Drastic Effects On Its Popularity And Credibility. Since The 1982 Party Conference The Division Between The Left And Right Has Sharpened. Tony Benn's Attempts To Get Into The Shadow Cabinet, The Defection Of Members To The Sdp, The Militant Inquiry And The Tatchell Affair Have All Added To This General Disenchantment. This Updated Edition Accurately Describes How These Events Have Developed. There Are Two Additional Chapters Which Deal With The Activities Of New Left Groups In London Boroughs, And With The Fightback Of The Right Between The Two Party Conferences. Interviews With Major Figures, Including Shirley Williams And Roy Grantham, Shed Light On The Events Of The Time. There Is Also More Detailed Insight Into The Glc And Events Within London. For Everyone Interested Or Involved In The History Of British Politics, The Battle For The Labour Party Provides An Insightful And Thought-provoking Account Of A Fascinating Piece Of History. The Battle for the Labour Party was first published in 1981 and was referenced by Tony Benn in his 1980-1990 diaries as 'a valuable guide to the developments within the Labour party at this time'. This 1982 updated edition is an essential resource for all who are interested in understanding the history of the Labour Party from 1973-1982. The continuing power struggle within the Labour Party had raged for decades and had drastic effects on its popularity and credibility. At the 1982 party conference, the division between the Left and Right sharpened. Tony Benn's attempts to get into the shadow cabinet, the defection of members to the SDP, the Militant inquiry and the Tatchell affair all added to this general disenchantment. This 1982 edition accurately describes how these events developed. There are two additional chapters which deal with the activities of New Left groups in London boroughs, and with the fightback of the Right between the two party conferences. Interviews with major figures, including Shirley Williams and Roy Grantham, shed light on the events of the time. There is also more detailed insight into the GLC and events within London. For everyone interested or involved in the history of British politics, The Battle for the Labour Party provides an insightful and thought-provoking account of a fascinating piece of history.