The Labour Party first took office on 22nd January 1924. In the century that followed it has only had six prime ministers and been in power for a total of 33 years. The Labour MP Jon Cruddas looks back at A Century of Labour – the successes and failures. While the Party has been riven by factions from the left and the right, Cruddas also looks at the competing visions of the what the Party represents.
The Labour Party was born out of the increase in franchise, the industrialisation of the workforce and unions, and in its early days class was a key factor in voting patterns. The political scientist Jane Green is a specialist in public opinion and electoral behaviour. She argues that the Brexit vote created a new divide between Leavers and Remainers, and considers the significant impact of age and education on voting habits.
With an election due this year all political parties will be preparing their manifestos and presenting their vision of the future. The Professor of Politics at the London School of Economics, Jonathan White, focuses on the future as a political idea in The Long Run. While the democratic electoral cycle foregrounds short term policies, White argues it’s time for politicians to consider long-term solutions.
Producer: Katy Hickman
David Sloan Wilson on Altruism
The Amazons
Lewis Carroll and the Story of Alice.
Susan Pinker on the benefits of face-to-face contact
Shame, with Jon Ronson
The Mathematical Mind with Cedric Villani
From Fringe to Frontline?
Joseph Nye on Soft Power
Life in Suburbia
The Rise of Islamic State
Organising the Mind
Surveillance and Self-censorship
The Tudors
Sense of Place
Hedonism
Reinventing Inventions
Arabian Nights
Evolution and Extinction
Science Fiction
Self-Portrayal
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Global News Podcast
The Infinite Monkey Cage
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins