Was the formation and rise of the Labour Party inevitable? 82 comments While the Labour Party was making progress, including in council elections, its continued dependence on the Liberal pact was evident in the two elections fought in 1910. While the Party increased its number of MPs to 40 in January and 42 in December only two of these had been elected in a contest involving a Liberal candidate. Labour also faced a challenge as New Liberalism (which we will discuss in more detail next week) sought to win working class voters with measures like the National Insurance Act 1911, offering the prospect of material improvements to working class conditions without the socialist encumberments that were not widely popular. Labour also faced the prospect of losing what little middle class support it had as the effects of the strike wave of 1910 to 1914 caused widespread disruption. Finally, we have to remember that in spite of the Second and Third Reform Acts many working class men did still not qualify to vote. It was the Fourth Reform Act in 1918, which trebled the electorate and made the industrial working class the majority of voters for the first time, that ultimately made possible the Labour breakthrough. Despite these obstacles, was the rise of the Labour Party inevitable? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. PETERLOO TO THE PANKHURSTS EXTRA In this extra video Dr Alex Windscheffel, a Senior Lecturer in Modern British History at Royal Holloway, discusses this question.

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