Party Discipline in War-Time: The Downfall of the Chamberlain Government

Abstract

The remarkably high level of unified party-line voting in British House of Commons is so well known that contrasting behavior has been little studied. Analysis of deviant cases, however, is very likely to further our understanding of legislative behavior that is extraordinary by American, and even European, standards. In what circumstances does party cohesion break down in Britain? What pressures or factors work against voting solidarity? Answering such questions should help explain why normal pattern of British legislative behavior exhibits such great unity. Despite these considerations, no one has attempted to study thoroughly most significant deviant case of British Parliamentary voting behavior in twentieth century-the division of 8 May 1940. The fact that Britain was at war enhances this division as a research site. When even breath of dissent could be made to appear unpatriotic, bonds of party unity would seem to be maximized. One of those who was a Member of Parliament at time termed vote, in discussing it 25 years later, the most fateful division in parliamentary history.' For two days Commons debated Chamberlain Government's conduct of Norwegian campaign. Fearful that under circumstances a direct challenge to Chamberlain might rally even dissident Conservatives to his defense, Labour party leaders hesitated to demand