Author: EditorMC

I am a former journalist by trade, turned labour and family historian with a special interest in Chartism. I launched the Chartist Ancestors website since 2003, and am currently a member of the Society for the Study of Labour History executive committee, managing its website and social media in my free time.
Bursary reports, Research bursaries

Alex Doyle (Leeds) on the Cuban labour movement’s opposition to colonialism and imperialism, 1898-1914

Having spent a long time studying Cuba from afar, I was thrilled to get the opportunity to visit and experience the country beyond the written word. My research looks at workers’ movements and imperialism in early twentieth century Cuba. With the help of funding from the Society for the Study of Labour History, I was able to visit the country to consult new archival material, … Continue reading Alex Doyle (Leeds) on the Cuban labour movement’s opposition to colonialism and imperialism, 1898-1914

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Labour history news, SSLH news

Society urges government to drop ‘elitist’ and ‘foolhardy’ plan to destroy historic wills

The Society for the Study of Labour History is calling on the Ministry of Justice to drop plans which would see the destruction of millions of original wills dating as far back as 1858. In a written response to the government’s consultation exercise, the Society argues that the plan is both elitist and flawed. Jump to our response. The proposals were put forward by the … Continue reading Society urges government to drop ‘elitist’ and ‘foolhardy’ plan to destroy historic wills

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Labour history news

One hundred years on: the first Labour government

One hundred years ago today, the first Labour Government took office. Led by James Ramsay MacDonald as prime minister and foreign secretary, the men (though no women) in its ranks included former coal miners and textile workers, a railwayman, an iron founder, and even a labour historian. Many had worked for decades on behalf of the Independent Labour Party or their trade union before entering … Continue reading One hundred years on: the first Labour government

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Labour history news

Inside the archive of Labour MP Ann Clwyd

Rob Phillips outlines the work of the Welsh Political Archive to make a huge archive donated by the former Labour MP Ann Clwyd, who died in 2023, available to researchers. Ann Clwyd, former Labour MP for the Cynon Valley, enjoyed a long and colourful political career. Prior to her election at a by-election in 1984 she had been a Member of the European Parliament for … Continue reading Inside the archive of Labour MP Ann Clwyd

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Events

Event: Essex and the 1984-85 miners’ strike

Essex County Association of Trades Councils is organising a one-day conference on the role of local trade unionists and activists in supporting the miners during the year-long strike that began in 1984. The event takes place at Friends Meeting House, Chelmsford CM1 2QL on Saturday 9 March, and admission is free. Speakers include: Reserve a place. Continue reading Event: Essex and the 1984-85 miners’ strike

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Labour history news

Labour history on show: highlights from the People’s History Museum collection

From the first ever minute book of the Labour Representation Committee to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s jacket, People’s History Museum is offering people the opportunity to see some of the vast collection of objects in its care that help reflect the story of the Labour Party. Among the highlights of the collection now online to mark the centenary of the first Labour government that … Continue reading Labour history on show: highlights from the People’s History Museum collection

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Events

Collection encounter: Ramsay MacDonald – behind the politics

Drop in to the John Rylands Library in Manchester on Saturday 20 January for an opportunity to see objects relating to James Ramsay MacDonald (1866-1937), the UK’s first Labour Prime Minister, and talk to archivists about his role in the Labour movement and the man behind the politics. Marking the centenary of the first Labour government, this free event, organised jointly by the John Rylands … Continue reading Collection encounter: Ramsay MacDonald – behind the politics

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Bursary reports, Research bursaries

James Squires (Sheffield Hallam) on the CPGB, anti-militarism and pacifism after the First World War

My PhD researches the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) and its relationship with anti-militarist and pacifist ideas from the First World War. The thesis reassesses the political development of the CPGB by focusing on the conscientious objector cohort that joined the Party following its formation in 1920. I explore the impact of the 1917 Russian Revolutions on the largest anti-war group, the No-Conscription Fellowship … Continue reading James Squires (Sheffield Hallam) on the CPGB, anti-militarism and pacifism after the First World War

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Labour History Review

Labour History Review index 2023

The three issues of Labour History Review published in 2023 have now been indexed and the index is available on the website. The update provides separate Word and PDF documents for volume 88, and includes an update to the consolidated Excel spreadsheet which now covers volumes 55 to 88 (1990-2023) inclusive. Labour History Review index. Access to the LHR index is available without charge. Find … Continue reading Labour History Review index 2023

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Events, Grants

E.P. Thompson at 100: Halifax event, 3 February 2024

On Saturday 3 February 2024, historian and political activist Edward Palmer Thompson would have turned 100 – had he not passed away in 1993. Meanwhile, the year 2023 also marked the 60th anniversary of the publication of Thompson’s magnum opus, The Making of the English Working Class, commemorated by a set of essays broadcast on Radio Three. The responses to the Radio Three essays demonstrates that there is still … Continue reading E.P. Thompson at 100: Halifax event, 3 February 2024

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