Although the 1924 Labour government held office for only a few months, its achievements should not be underestimated. Even without a full majority in the House of Commons, legislation was still passed on housing, unemployment and social insurance.
Labour’s main achievement was widely regarded as the Wheatley Housing Act. This measure, introduced by the health minister John Wheatley, was intended to provide affordable housing for the working classes of Britain. This legislation was a great success as by 1934, over 450,000 new houses had been built, vastly improving the lives of many, and therefore boosting public support for the party.
Other advances were made which improved Britain socially and economically. Taxes were cut slightly, with the aim that more money would then be available for investments, and therefore employment created. This again illustrates how Labour went for a much more moderate approach during their first term- by using the idea of gradualism they believed that socialism would only come if capitalism was prosperous.
These social achievements during Labour’s period in office show that the party was infact fit to govern, and could successfully manage the country, in a way which benefited the working classes of Britain.
However, during its term, Labour also faced many problems, largely relating to foreign policy. These led to their defeat and ultimately, their failure, in the October 1924 election.
The Zinoviev Letter is thought to be largely instrumental in the Labour defeat in the October 1924 election. The Zinoviev letter was allegedly sent from Grigori Zinoviev, president of the Executive Committee of the Communist International, encouraging subversion. The letter was published in the right-wing newspaper The Daily Mail and gave the impression to the general public that the Labour party had links with Soviet Communists. This left the Labour party extremely defenceless, as without any way of proving the letter was a forgery, and an election in four days, the party was doomed to failure. The Zinoviev Letter was infact later proven a forgery. The 1999 Daily Telegraph enquiry showed that the letter was a possible attempt by anti-Communist intelligence agencies to allow the Conservatives to win the election.
Another issue which led the first Labour government to its failure was the Campbell Case. J.R. Campbell, as acting editor for the Communist Workers Weekly, published an appeal to the armed forces not to fire on strikers. The decision to prosecute Campbell, sparked anger amongst the Labour party, and MacDonald withdrew prosecution. This caused the Conservative party to put down a motion of censure on the government, and the Liberals called for an inquiry. MacDonald announced that if an inquiry did take place, he would resign. Therefore when the Commons voted for an enquiry, the 1924 election was called.
It could therefore be said, that the Campbell case was the main factor which caused the election defeat. The case also shows Labour were infact bias towards Communism, and so as there was a ‘Red Scare’ atmosphere at the time, Labour therefore lost many votes from the electorate as a result of this.
During its period of office, the Labour government was keen to negotiate trade agreements with Soviet Russia. To Labour’s opponents, the fact that the government was even making contact with the Bolsheviks was an added bonus for the election, as the general atmosphere at the time was that of a ‘Red Scare’.
These three issues all relate to the Labour party’s defeat and could therefore be deemed as failings. However, although the party did perhaps make crucial mistakes which were fatal in terms of their success as leaders, these issues did not necessarily directly affect the social and financial welfare of the general public.
After considering circumstances, the first Labour government was a success in so far as the social measures that were introduced. The main aim for the party was to show they were fit to govern, and capable of meeting the country’s needs. Labour did achieve this to a certain extent, as they improved certain social aspects which clearly needed attention. Many left wing radicals were disappointed and criticised MacDonald’s period in office, for their refusal to enforce stronger socialist measures. However this could never have been fully achieved as being a minority government, Labour were only in office, not strictly in power. MacDonald’s aim was never in fact to fully introduce socialism; his objectives were more moderate, and these objectives were generally achieved. Although Labour were defeated in the October 1924 election, the Liberals were seen as the real losers- their number of seats plummeted from 158 to just 40, which led to the demise of the party and therefore the return of two-party politics.
Another factor which must be addressed when considering the extent of the success of the first Labour government is what the general public would have expected from the party, and whether this was achieved or not. These expectations are largely based around the introduction of the welfare state, better international relations and greater economic control and intervention. These issues were certainly addressed to an extent, and considering the circumstances and the time in office being only 10 months, were tackled very well.
