Labour or Socialism? : opposition and dissent within the ILP, with special reference to Lancashire

• Main Author: Morris, Dylan
• Published: University of Manchester 1982
• Subjects: 324.241
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.516851

The internal politics of the Independent Labour Party in the 1906-14 period were marked by conflicting pressures. Participation in the Labour Party, locally and nationally, necessitated compromising the ILP's initial socialist commitment. In Lancashire the Labour Party's advance' was largely predicated on the commitment of trade unions to labourist politics. ILP dissatisfaction invoked the party's older socialist traditions and the links with socialists outside the Labour Party. Dissidents challenged the leadership over the ILP's commitment to Labour Party election policy; over the strategy followed in parliament and over the thorny issue of internal democracy. Waves of dissent in 1907-9' were checked and frustrated as was another attempt via the 'Green Manifesto' in 1910. A basic loyalty to the Labour Party as the most viable road to socialism had underlain much debate. Many dissidents did leave to form the British Socialist Party in 1911, but the divisions of that organisation highlighted some of the problems that faced socialists in Britain. Their departure strengthened ILP loyalty to the Labour Party but the immediate pre war years saw continuing debate regarding election policy and Liberal-Labour relations. Increasing concern at the erosion of ILP autonomy and failure to maintain growth was also in evidence. A challenge from the left persisted - encouraged by the labour unrest and the diffusion of syndicalist ideas. But no effective socialist alternative emerged. The ILP remained committed to Labour.