Rethinking Labour's Past

The Labour Party after Jeremy Corbyn is charting a new direction. Here, Nathan Yeowell has brought together a remarkable array of contributors to provide expert insight into twentieth-century British history and Labour politics – and how they might shape thinking about Labour’s future. Reframing the span of Labour history and its effects on contemporary British politics, the book provides fresh thinking and analysis of various traditions, themes and individuals. These include the shifting significance of 1945, the need for more grounded interpretations of Tony Blair’s legacy, and the enduring importance of place, identity and aspiration to the evolution of the party. Contributions from leading historians such as Patrick Diamond, Steven Fielding, Ben Jackson, Glen O’ Hara and Florence Sutcliffe-Braithwaite are supplemented by those with experience of Labour electoral politics, such as Rachel Reeves and Nick Thomas-Symonds. The result is an intellectually rich and politically relevant roadmap for Labour's future. "The Labour Party after Jeremy Corbyn is in search of new direction. Here, Nathan Yeowell has succeeded in pulling together a remarkable array of contributors who are actively engaged in research on twentieth-century British history and Labour politics. Reframing the last 100 years of Labour politics - the book covers key figures and battles in the party - such as the dropping of Clause 4, the formation of the welfare state and Corbyn's general election defeat of 2020. Contributions from leading historians such as Steven Fielding, Clare Griffiths, Ben Jackson,and Glenn O Hara are supplemented by those with experience of Labour electoral politics, such as Rachel Reeves MP and Patrick Diamond. The result is a revisionist, intellectually rich and politically relevant roadmap for Labour's future"-- Provided by publisher