The Labour Party in Opposition 1970-1974 (British Politics and Society)

1970 to 1974 was a pivotal period in the history of the Labour Party. This book shows how the Labour Party responded to electoral defeat in 1970 and to what extent its political and policy activity in opposition was directed to the recovery of power at the following general election. At a point in Labour's history when social democracy had apparently failed, this book considers what the party came up with in its place.The story of the Labour Party in opposition, 1970-1974, is shown to be one of a major political party sustaining policy activity of limited relevance to its electoral requirements. Not only that, but Labour regained office in 1974 with policies on wages and industrial relations whose unworkability led to the failure of the Labour government 1974-1979, and the Labour Party's irrelevance to so many voters after 1979.Using primary sources, the author documents and explains how this happened, focusing on the party's response to defeat in 1970 and the behaviour of key individuals in the parliamentary leadership in response to pressure for a review of policy. 1970-1974 was a pivotal period in the history of the Labour Party. This book shows how the Labour Party responded to electoral defeat in 1970 and to what extent its political and policy activity in opposition was directed to the recovery of power at the following general election. At a point in Labour's history when social democracy had apparentyl failed this book condiers what the party came up with in its place.The story of the Labour Party in opposition during 1970-1974 is shown to be one of a major political party sustaining policy activity of limited relevance to its electoral requirements. The author focuses upon the party's response to defeat in 1970 and the behaviour of key individuals in the parliamentary leadership in reponse to the pressure for a review of policy. Labour ragained office in 1974 with policies on wages and industrial relations. Through an analysis of primary sources, the author shows how the period in opposition laid the foundations for the failure of the 1974-1979 Labour Government and why the Labour Party became irrelevant to so many voters after 1979. The Labour Party in Opposition, 1970-1974 will be essential reading for students and researchers of political history and the Labour Party