J. H. THOMAS AND THE RISE OF LABOUR IN DERBY, 1880–1945

Abstract

Abstract The debate about the rise of the British Labour party has been long and occasionally bloody. Few explanations of the phenomenon at national level have survived unscathed, however soberly researched and expounded. Partly for this reason, historians have begun to look increasingly towards micro rather than macro explanations: and this shift, involving concentration on individual regions, cities and towns has produced much fascinating work, varying from fairly straight narratives of institutional development to such profound works of historical sociology as Savage's recent book on Preston. Such work is beginning to answer some of the questions begged by nationally-based interpretations. However, the role of individual personalities in the development of local Labour movements has been neglected. Tom Shaw was one of Britain's leading trade unionists and a Labour cabinet minister in the 1920s, yet although he was also M.P. for Preston he only makes five appearances in Savage's book, the most substanti...