Ideology and the Making of New Labours

Abstract

In 1935 George Dangerfield published The Strange Death of Liberal England. This book, which soon became a classic of sorts, claimed to explain the passing away of a political tradition allegedly unable to thrive in the postwar climate. Nationalism, class politics, and militant trade unionism were the characteristics of the mature twentieth century. However, Dangerfield's condolences were premature. In April 1992, almost sixty years after the publication of this famous obituary, issue No. 7755 of The Economist appeared with a surprising cover illustration: It represented William Ewart Gladstone, the Victorian statesman, wearing a flowery (postmodern?) waistcoat and surrounded by the microphones of journalists obviously eager to pick his brain on the current political situation. The caption was: “A prophet for the left.” The leading article presented Gladstone not as a historical figure but as a model for the Labour party. This was certainly remarkable, especially after twelve years of Conservative governments which claimed to be intent on restoring some of the traditional values and policies associated with Gladstonian liberalism.S. Evans, “Thatcher and the Victorians: A Suitable Case for Comparison?,” History 82 (1997):601–20. After a century of political oblivion, old Gladstone had suddenly become fashionable again, and his mantle was apparently being fought over by the three main parties.