Labour Leader
Encyclopedia
The Labour Leader was a British
socialist newspaper
published for almost one hundred years. It was later re-named New Leader and Socialist Leader, before finally taking the name Labour Leader again.
The origins of the paper lie in The Miner, a monthly publication founded by Keir Hardie
in 1887. The paper's main purpose was to advocate for a federation of Scottish
miner
s. The first issue contained an influential programme for labour, co-authored by Hardie and Chisholm Robertson, marking Hardie's switch from support for the Liberal Party
to advocating independent labour candidacies. It was used as Hardie's platform in the Mid Lanarkshire by-election, 1888
, following which Hardie became a founder member of the Scottish Labour Party and relaunched The Miner as the Labour Leader.
In 1893, the Scottish Labour Party affiliated to the Independent Labour Party
(ILP). Hardie became the party's first leader, and began using the Labour Leader as a forum for the development of policy for the new party. In 1894, he was able to increase the paper's frequency to weekly.
Hardie continued to publish and edit the Labour Leader until 1904, when he sold it to the ILP, amid some controversy on the appropriate recompense due to him. The ILP appointed John Bruce Glasier
to replace Hardie as editor in January 1905. Glasier was able to take sales from 13,000 at the start of his editorship, to 43,000 in 1908, but attracted criticism from some ILP members for consistently endorsing all the actions of the party's leadership. He stood down from the post in April 1909.
In 1909, party members were encouraged to write for the Labour Leader rather than rival publications. For example, Frederick William Jowett
's parliamentary column transferred from The Clarion
.
Throughout this period, the paper was known for investigative reporting and high quality journalism. As early as 1899, an investigation by Hardie had sensationally exposed poor conditions at the Overtoun Chemical Works, while in 1913 and 14, Walton Newbold
worked on a lengthy expose of the interests of the defence industry.
In 1912, Fenner Brockway became the paper's editor. He maintained a policy of strident pacifism
, opposing World War I
with front page headline
s such as "The War Must Be Stopped" and "Down With The War". In 1915, the newspaper's offices were raided by the police, and Brockway was charged with publishing seditious
material. Brockway won the case, but commented, "if we weren't dangerous to the government we were failing in our duty!" However, his work in the No-Conscription Fellowship led to his repeated imprisonment, and by 1916 he felt unable to continue in the post. With Brockway's departure, Katherine Glasier took over the editorship. In 1917, the government prohibited the export of the Labour Leader from the UK. By 1918, she had increased circulation to 62,000, but became increasingly at odds with prominent columnist Philip Snowden. His opposition to the October Revolution
was vocally opposed by Glasier, and in the ensuing dispute, sales fell away. The stress of this contributed to her nervous breakdown
.
With the departure of Glasier, ILP treasurer Clifford Allen
decided that a new approach was necessary. The paper was renamed the New Leader, and H. N. Brailsford
appointed editor. Alarmed at Brailsford's left wing reputation, Ramsay MacDonald
ensured that Mary Agnes Hamilton
was appointed as his more moderate deputy, although she soon left the post. Brailsford championed articles on cultural topics, alongside an increased proportion of theoretical pieces. Brailsford himself contributed numerous articles proposing a programme for a living wage
. However, by 1926, circulation had fallen, and Brailsford had fallen out of favour with the ILP leadership. Brockway returned to the helm, supporting James Maxton
's call for the ILP to stand for "socialism in our time". In the 1929 UK general election, Brockway was elected as the Member of Parliament
for Leyton East
. In order to concentrate on his elected position, he stood down and was replaced by John Paton
.
Paton was an advocate of the living wage policy, but only gave reluctant support to the ILP's movement towards a split from the Labour Party
. Out of Parliament again in 1931, Brockway returned to the editor's chair, remaining in position until 1946, when he resigned from the ILP and rejoined the Labour Party.
George Orwell
's essay, "Why I Joined the Independent Labour Party" was published in the 28 June 1938 edition of New Leader.
Facing a severe decline as many of its activists defected to Labour, the ILP relaunched the paper as the Socialist Leader in 1947. F. A. Ridley
and George Stone
were appointed joint editors, Ridley standing down the following year, but continuing to write regularly for it. Stone pursued a "third force
" policy, opposing both capitalism
and the Soviet Union
. The party continued to decline, but remained able to publish a weekly newspaper. Conservative
politician Cyril Wilson Black successfully prosecuted the paper for libel, after it described him as a racist.
In 1975, the ILP decided to dissolve itself into the Labour Party, renaming its paper as the Labour Leader once again, and moving to monthly publication. Declaring itself to be "Labour's Independent Monthly", it was published by Independent Labour Publications
until 1986.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
socialist newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
published for almost one hundred years. It was later re-named New Leader and Socialist Leader, before finally taking the name Labour Leader again.
The origins of the paper lie in The Miner, a monthly publication founded by Keir Hardie
Keir Hardie
James Keir Hardie, Sr. , was a Scottish socialist and labour leader, and was the first Independent Labour Member of Parliament elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
in 1887. The paper's main purpose was to advocate for a federation of Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
miner
Miner
A miner is a person whose work or business is to extract ore or minerals from the earth. Mining is one of the most dangerous trades in the world. In some countries miners lack social guarantees and in case of injury may be left to cope without assistance....
s. The first issue contained an influential programme for labour, co-authored by Hardie and Chisholm Robertson, marking Hardie's switch from support for the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
to advocating independent labour candidacies. It was used as Hardie's platform in the Mid Lanarkshire by-election, 1888
Mid Lanarkshire by-election, 1888
The Mid Lanarkshire by-election, 1888 was a parliamentary by-election held on 27 April 1888 for the British House of Commons constituency of Mid Lanarkshire.- Previous MP :...
, following which Hardie became a founder member of the Scottish Labour Party and relaunched The Miner as the Labour Leader.
In 1893, the Scottish Labour Party affiliated to the Independent Labour Party
Independent Labour Party
The Independent Labour Party was a socialist political party in Britain established in 1893. The ILP was affiliated to the Labour Party from 1906 to 1932, when it voted to leave...
(ILP). Hardie became the party's first leader, and began using the Labour Leader as a forum for the development of policy for the new party. In 1894, he was able to increase the paper's frequency to weekly.
Hardie continued to publish and edit the Labour Leader until 1904, when he sold it to the ILP, amid some controversy on the appropriate recompense due to him. The ILP appointed John Bruce Glasier
John Bruce Glasier
John Bruce Glasier was a Scottish socialist politician.Glasier was born in Glasgow as John Bruce, but grew up near Newton Ayr. Following the death of his father in 1870, he returned to Glasgow and followed his mother in adding the additional name of "Glasier", thereafter using Bruce as his middle...
to replace Hardie as editor in January 1905. Glasier was able to take sales from 13,000 at the start of his editorship, to 43,000 in 1908, but attracted criticism from some ILP members for consistently endorsing all the actions of the party's leadership. He stood down from the post in April 1909.
In 1909, party members were encouraged to write for the Labour Leader rather than rival publications. For example, Frederick William Jowett
Frederick William Jowett
Frederick William 'Fred' Jowett was a British Labour politician.-Early life:Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Jowett received little formal education and at the age of eight was working at the local textile mill...
's parliamentary column transferred from The Clarion
The Clarion
The Clarion was a weekly newspaper published by Robert Blatchford, based in the United Kingdom. It was a socialist publication though adopting a British-focused rather than internationalist perspective on political affairs, as seen in its support of the British involvement in the Anglo-Boer Wars...
.
Throughout this period, the paper was known for investigative reporting and high quality journalism. As early as 1899, an investigation by Hardie had sensationally exposed poor conditions at the Overtoun Chemical Works, while in 1913 and 14, Walton Newbold
Walton Newbold
John Turner Walton Newbold , known as Walton Newbold, was the first Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom to be elected as a Communist.-Early years:...
worked on a lengthy expose of the interests of the defence industry.
In 1912, Fenner Brockway became the paper's editor. He maintained a policy of strident pacifism
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
, opposing World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
with front page headline
Headline
The headline is the text at the top of a newspaper article, indicating the nature of the article below it.It is sometimes termed a news hed, a deliberate misspelling that dates from production flow during hot type days, to notify the composing room that a written note from an editor concerned a...
s such as "The War Must Be Stopped" and "Down With The War". In 1915, the newspaper's offices were raided by the police, and Brockway was charged with publishing seditious
Sedition
In law, sedition is overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority to tend toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent to lawful authority. Sedition may include any...
material. Brockway won the case, but commented, "if we weren't dangerous to the government we were failing in our duty!" However, his work in the No-Conscription Fellowship led to his repeated imprisonment, and by 1916 he felt unable to continue in the post. With Brockway's departure, Katherine Glasier took over the editorship. In 1917, the government prohibited the export of the Labour Leader from the UK. By 1918, she had increased circulation to 62,000, but became increasingly at odds with prominent columnist Philip Snowden. His opposition to the October Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
was vocally opposed by Glasier, and in the ensuing dispute, sales fell away. The stress of this contributed to her nervous breakdown
Nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
.
With the departure of Glasier, ILP treasurer Clifford Allen
Clifford Allen, 1st Baron Allen of Hurtwood
Reginald Clifford Allen, 1st Baron Allen of Hurtwood , known as Clifford Allen, was a British politician and prominent pacifist.-Career:...
decided that a new approach was necessary. The paper was renamed the New Leader, and H. N. Brailsford
H. N. Brailsford
Henry Noel Brailsford was the most prolific British left-wing journalist of the first half of the 20th century.The son of a Methodist preacher, he was born in Yorkshire and educated in Scotland, at the High School of Dundee...
appointed editor. Alarmed at Brailsford's left wing reputation, Ramsay MacDonald
Ramsay MacDonald
James Ramsay MacDonald, PC, FRS was a British politician who was the first ever Labour Prime Minister, leading a minority government for two terms....
ensured that Mary Agnes Hamilton
Mary Agnes Hamilton
Mary Agnes Hamilton was Member of Parliament for Blackburn from 1929 to 1931.In the early 1920s, she was the deputy editor of the New Leader.- External links :...
was appointed as his more moderate deputy, although she soon left the post. Brailsford championed articles on cultural topics, alongside an increased proportion of theoretical pieces. Brailsford himself contributed numerous articles proposing a programme for a living wage
Living wage
In public policy, a living wage is the minimum hourly income necessary for a worker to meet basic needs . These needs include shelter and other incidentals such as clothing and nutrition...
. However, by 1926, circulation had fallen, and Brailsford had fallen out of favour with the ILP leadership. Brockway returned to the helm, supporting James Maxton
James Maxton
James Maxton was a Scottish socialist politician, and leader of the Independent Labour Party. A prominent proponent of Home Rule for Scotland, he is remembered as one of the leading figures of the Red Clydeside era.-Early years:...
's call for the ILP to stand for "socialism in our time". In the 1929 UK general election, Brockway was elected as the Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Leyton East
Leyton East (UK Parliament constituency)
Leyton East was a parliamentary constituency in the Municipal Borough of Leyton, then part of Essex but now in Greater London.It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post system.-History:The constituency...
. In order to concentrate on his elected position, he stood down and was replaced by John Paton
John Paton (UK politician)
John Paton was a Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom, and a Member of Parliament from 1945 to 1964.He was elected at the 1945 general election as MP for the two-seat Norwich constituency...
.
Paton was an advocate of the living wage policy, but only gave reluctant support to the ILP's movement towards a split from the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
. Out of Parliament again in 1931, Brockway returned to the editor's chair, remaining in position until 1946, when he resigned from the ILP and rejoined the Labour Party.
George Orwell
George Orwell
Eric Arthur Blair , better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist...
's essay, "Why I Joined the Independent Labour Party" was published in the 28 June 1938 edition of New Leader.
Facing a severe decline as many of its activists defected to Labour, the ILP relaunched the paper as the Socialist Leader in 1947. F. A. Ridley
F. A. Ridley
Francis Ambrose Ridley, usually known as Frank Ridley was a marxist and secularist of the United Kingdom.- Life :...
and George Stone
George Stone (politician)
George Stone was a British socialist journalist.Born in Fulham, Stone studied at the London School of Economics and joined the Independent Labour Party . During World War II, he worked for the Aeronautical Inspection Department, and he subsequently moved to Glasgow...
were appointed joint editors, Ridley standing down the following year, but continuing to write regularly for it. Stone pursued a "third force
Third camp
The third camp, also known as third camp socialism or third camp Trotskyism, is a branch of socialism which aims to oppose both capitalism and Stalinism, by supporting the organised working class as a "third camp"....
" policy, opposing both capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
and the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. The party continued to decline, but remained able to publish a weekly newspaper. Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
politician Cyril Wilson Black successfully prosecuted the paper for libel, after it described him as a racist.
In 1975, the ILP decided to dissolve itself into the Labour Party, renaming its paper as the Labour Leader once again, and moving to monthly publication. Declaring itself to be "Labour's Independent Monthly", it was published by Independent Labour Publications
Independent Labour Publications
Independent Labour Publications is a left-wing pressure group inside the British Labour Party. It is the successor to the Independent Labour Party and is mostly known simply as "The ILP" in order to maintain that link with its predecessor organisation....
until 1986.
Editors
- 1888: Keir HardieKeir HardieJames Keir Hardie, Sr. , was a Scottish socialist and labour leader, and was the first Independent Labour Member of Parliament elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
- 1905: John Bruce GlasierJohn Bruce GlasierJohn Bruce Glasier was a Scottish socialist politician.Glasier was born in Glasgow as John Bruce, but grew up near Newton Ayr. Following the death of his father in 1870, he returned to Glasgow and followed his mother in adding the additional name of "Glasier", thereafter using Bruce as his middle...
- 1909: J. T. Mills
- 1912: Fenner Brockway
- 1916: Katherine Glasier
- 1922: H. N. BrailsfordH. N. BrailsfordHenry Noel Brailsford was the most prolific British left-wing journalist of the first half of the 20th century.The son of a Methodist preacher, he was born in Yorkshire and educated in Scotland, at the High School of Dundee...
- 1926: Fenner Brockway
- 1930: John PatonJohn Paton (UK politician)John Paton was a Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom, and a Member of Parliament from 1945 to 1964.He was elected at the 1945 general election as MP for the two-seat Norwich constituency...
- 1931: Fenner Brockway
- 1947: Frank Ridley and George StoneGeorge Stone (politician)George Stone was a British socialist journalist.Born in Fulham, Stone studied at the London School of Economics and joined the Independent Labour Party . During World War II, he worked for the Aeronautical Inspection Department, and he subsequently moved to Glasgow...
- 1948: George Stone