In Place of Strife? The PLP in Government, 1997–2001

Abstract

After entering government in 1997, the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) acquired a reputation for acquiescence. This article attempts to answer two related questions. Was this an accurate picture of the PLP under Blair? And if so, what explained it? The number of back-bench revolts was certainly low. Excluding the short parliaments of 1964 and February 1974, we have to go back to 1955 to find a parliament with fewer rebellions by government back benchers than the one elected in 1997 – but those rebellions that did occur were sizeable. Rebellion was also widespread amongst the PLP: 133 MPs rebelled at some point in the Parliament. There are four explanations for this compliant pattern of behaviour, in order of increasing importance: the issues on the legislative agenda; the composition of the PLP; the government's behaviour; and a desire on the part of most of the PLP to appear united.