After the General Election

Abstract

The February general election was the first that the British Labor Party has had to face after a solid period of years in office and in power. The two previous Labor governments of 1924 and 1929 were both based upon minorities in the House of Commons, and both were heavily defeated after a short and ineffectual tenure of office. This time, Labor could appeal to the country on a pretty creditable domestic record; but even so it managed to stave off defeat by the narrowest of margins. By winning 315 seats, it secured a majority of 7 seats over its combined Liberal and Tory opponents, who secured 9 and 299 seats respectively. Labor has thus been given another, but short lease of life to carry on the most essential business of government-especially to pass the annual budget-and to prepare for the next election, which cannot be long postponed and may come within three or four months.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.