The Labour Party first took office on 22nd January 1924. In the century that followed it has only had six prime ministers and been in power for a total of 33 years. The Labour MP Jon Cruddas looks back at A Century of Labour – the successes and failures. While the Party has been riven by factions from the left and the right, Cruddas also looks at the competing visions of the what the Party represents.
The Labour Party was born out of the increase in franchise, the industrialisation of the workforce and unions, and in its early days class was a key factor in voting patterns. The political scientist Jane Green is a specialist in public opinion and electoral behaviour. She argues that the Brexit vote created a new divide between Leavers and Remainers, and considers the significant impact of age and education on voting habits.
With an election due this year all political parties will be preparing their manifestos and presenting their vision of the future. The Professor of Politics at the London School of Economics, Jonathan White, focuses on the future as a political idea in The Long Run. While the democratic electoral cycle foregrounds short term policies, White argues it’s time for politicians to consider long-term solutions.
Producer: Katy Hickman
Playing games
Space – the human story
Monet and machine vision
Music – from page to performance
China – its poetry and economy
Soundtrack to life
Infected blood - from scandal to inquiry
Unruly bodies
Israel
The Iliad and the right to rule
Contains Strong Language Festival in Leeds
Homo Sapiens +/-
The NHS at 75
Materials that shape our world
Sums, stories and musical scores
Hacking and cybercrime
Allergies and the Microbiome
Hay Festival - Dickens in the 21st century
Birds and moths
Virtuous bankers?
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