Political Change and its Challenges

The Emergence of the Labour Party

Establishment and rise of the Labour Party: Emerged as a powerful political force as the representative of the working-class, replacing the Liberal Party as the main opposition to the Conservatives.
Representation of the People Act 1918: The Act expanded the electorate, giving all men over the age of 21 and women over the age of 30 who met residency qualifications the right to vote. This played a crucial role in Labour’s rise.
Leadership of Ramsay MacDonald: MacDonald became the first ever Labour Prime Minister in 1924, cementing Labour as a realistic party of government.
Creation of the welfare state: The Labour Party initiated the foundations of the welfare state with legislations like the Widows, Orphans, and Old Age Contributory Pensions Act of 1925.

Decline of the Liberal Party

Largely replaced by Labour as the party of opposition to the Conservatives.
Split during the First World War over support of the coalition government led by David Lloyd George. Those against the coalition formed a separate group known as ‘Wee Free’, weakening the party.
The introduction of the first-past-the-post electoral system entrenched the emerging two-party system, further hindering the Liberal Party’s electoral possibilities.

Rise and Fall of the Conservatives

Following the end of World War I, the Conservative Party dominated British politics, showing their ability to adapt and change with the social and political shifts in the country.
However, their decision to return Britain to the Gold Standard in 1925 made British exports more expensive, and contributed to high unemployment rates and ultimately, the Great Depression.
Yet, towards the end of the ’30s, the Conservatives returned to power under the leadership of Neville Chamberlain.

The Impact of the Trade Unions

During this period, trade unions played a significant role in political change. They were critical in supporting the rise of the Labour Party.
Trade unions had increased power due to large increases in their membership, rising from 4.1 million in 1914 to 6.5 million in 1918.
However, the inter-war years also saw several clashes between the state and trade unions, most notably the General Strike of 1926 created by the miners’ dispute.
The trade unions’ failure to make major gains during the General Strike and the damaging Trade Disputes Act of 1927 constrained their influence and brought about a decline in membership.

The Role of Women and Suffrage Movement

John Stuart Mill’s introduction of an amendment to the Reform Act 1867 aroused the first wave of woman suffrage activity, but it didn’t come to fruition until 1918 with the Representation of the People Act giving women over 30 the right to vote.
The Equal Franchise Act of 1928, giving women equal voting rights with men, can be seen as a culmination of the long-fought battle of the suffragette movement.
The inter-war years also saw some progress for women in terms of political representation. The first woman MP was elected in 1918 and the number of women Members of Parliament gradually increased over this period.

The Impact of the Depression

The economic impact of the Depression also had a measurable political impact in Britain.
The fall of the Labour government in 1931, largely due to its inability to deal with the crisis, and the formation of a National Government led primarily by the Conservatives, dramatically altered the political landscape.
The increasing economic hardship and high unemployment led to a significant increase in social unrest and hostility towards the government. However, rather than leading to a radical upsurge in socialist or communist support, it brought about a shift towards the right, and a rise in support for the Conservative Party.
The Depression also led to a growing acceptance of the idea for more state intervention in the economy, promoting welfare state ideas and laying the groundwork for the post-war consensus.