Factors That Led to the Formation of the First Labor Government - Essay Example

Factors that led to the formation of the first Labor Government in 1924 Factors that led to the formation of the first Labor Government in 1924 Introduction The British witnessed the formation of the first labor government in 1924 under the governance of James MacDonald. It replaced the Conservative Party by taking more than 190 seats in the British General Elections held in 1923. In as much as the Conservative Party had more seats, many factors contributed to MacDonald leading a minority government. One of the most vital accomplishments of the first Labor government was the implementation of the Wheatley Housing Act that gave government grants that local authorities could use to construct affordable houses for low salaried employees. While the MacDonald government was transitory, the first labor government was a vital sign of the achievements of Labor since its establishment as the Labor Representation Committee. First labor government was an essential landmark by which the Party could evaluate its advancement and policies. The party could also improve its administrative skills and approaches for the future. The first labor government substantiated its ability to govern (Murphy1946 p. 530). It is necessary to discuss some of the reasons why the first Labor Government was created in 1924. Factors that led to the formation of the first Labor Government in 1924 The platform used by the Conservative Party to win previous elections was reducing the rate of unemployment. The British waited for the formulation and implementation of the necessary strategies. However, the rate of unemployment became serious after Conservative Party came into power. According to Daleand Iain (45), the number of people who were not employed before Conservative Party came to power was 1,153,600. Within ten months of their rule, the figure increased to 1,198,800 (Dale and Iain 45). The rate of unemployment was still increasing when the survey was being conducted. During this time, the wages decreased in Britain by close to a third. The policy introduced by Conservative Party to address this important question was indecisive. There was nothing new and operational that the government had done. In addition, the party had not kept their electoral pledges and promises yet the country was preparing for another election. Consequently, the first labor government had to solve these problems. The Conservative Party supported the restoration of economic and commercial associations with the Russian people. However, the country needed to restore their credit and prepare the British industry to dominate foreign trade. The Conservative Party Minister decided to inform parliament to amend a treaty that made the British to guarantee credit to a government whose ideologies reject common acts and regulations between borrower and lender (Callaghan and Pythian 2007, p. 298). This occurred soon after the Prime Minister had stated in the House of Commons that only unsuspecting individuals would consider that he would tolerate such a procedure. This simply implies that the first labor government was formed to restore confidence to the credit system and recapture the country’s foreign trade. An additional factor that led to the formation of the first Labor Government in 1924 was the housing problem. A viable solution to the housing problem in Britain was dependent on creating an experienced construction industry with accessible labor. The Housing Act implemented by Mr. Wheatley promised to find viable solutions, particularly to the labor problem. However, operational measures failed to educate young learners or raise a population with adequate construction artisans. Instead of arguing that there was some advancement made in house construction under the Wheatley Act, the point is that fewer houses were under construction. In addition, fewer students were being educated on the construction process. As a result, fewer people were recognizable as qualified construction artisans. The liberal course of action in addressing the housing problem was to use the unemployed labor to construct houses for the people (Cowling 2005, p. 359). However, this did not happen as expected, leading the creation of the first labor government. MacDonald believed that they had the capacity to construct more houses for the citizens. The land problem in Britain also influenced the formation of the first labor government. The government’s agenda was to provide equal opportunities to individuals regardless of their background and financial abilities. It was also important for them to establish vital conditions for economic and political liberty. In order to achieve such objectives, it was necessary for them to support and conduct land reforms. In addition, it was necessary to restore productive agriculture in Great Britain (Darlington 2008, p. 284). Real growth could not be accomplished by implementing structures that would allow bureaucrats to manage all imported and locally produced food. The second approach entailed formulating measures for taxing imported agricultural products. The third approach was safeguarding and acknowledging the efforts of farmers by creating a comprehensive change in the system of land tenure. It was necessary to adjust this system based on the modern requirements. The liberal land policy considered a land ownership approach that would incorporate the advantages of tenure and occupancy system while eliminating the disadvantages. The restructuring process would create a comprehensible system of agriculture credit with the help of the government. In addition, it was necessary to improve the marketing system as pertains to country’s agricultural products. In addition, it was necessary to synchronize delivery systems and regain land for prolific uses. The labor government came into power due to lack of policies that would free the farmers from the constraints of an old-fashioned land system. In addition, it was necessary to free agricultural workers from poverty and inadequate opportunity. Besides, it was necessary to use available land in Britain to benefit the community as a whole. A huge section of the country’s town dwellers did not have enough houses to live or work. The private landowners caused many problems experienced in the towns. They made it difficult for towns to develop by refusing to give land to other people who were ready to construct more houses. The private landowners sold land piece by piece at inflated prices. The Liberal land policy was to give room for the towns to proclaim their privileges, address previous abandonment and create conditions essential for the wellbeing of the town employees and industry. Land values based on the actions and expenditure of the community was crucial in maintaining the expediencies, utilities and facilities of the town (Heppell and Theakston 2013, p. 15). The level of poverty in the slums was constantly rising and there were fewer facilities in place to ensure that every individual living in the towns obtained fresh air and had enough space. The labor government came into power in order to restructure the country’s tenancy hold system that authorized tenure owners to grab the harvests obtained through the creativity of the sellers. Inhabitants of residential houses held on tenancy did not have the authority to buy their property at a suitable price that was commensurate to the investment made and cost of purchasing homes. Inhabitants of shops and business buildings on short tenancy were not allowed to acquire, from a land court, compulsory directives for the renewal of their tenancies on impartial terms. Towns could not control their future growth because they lacked authority to purchase land needed in future to construct more houses and create space at affordable costs (Dale 2000, p. 292). It was also necessary to address the issue of slums by constructing fresh industrial townships to ensure that the local residents lived healthy, accessed security and other amenities regardless of their social status and background. The labor government came into power because the country’s system of land ownership affected the coal industry. Due to Britain’s land system, coal resources were uneconomical and impractical, especially during their use. The major concerns in the coal industry were the need to enhance peace in domestic coalfields and make coal a better source of wealth and power. Britain’s problem of coal was directly associated with the electricity problem. Despite the presence of rich resources of coal, the amount of energy produced from coal was below that of Britain’s leading competitors. Therefore, the first labor government was formed to make coal a national property (Lowe1989, p. 32). The objective was achievable by authorizing the government to obtain all material rights. The government was help in the construction of super-power stations. The government would issue funds to reconstruct and improve the mining areas that were considered as degradation to the nation and a standing threat to the peace and productivity of the industry. The fact that Britain did not have a long-term program for educational improvement also contributed to the formation of the first labor government. The education sector was characterized by huge debts that had accumulated in less developed areas. There was need for the removal of these debts and elimination of dilapidated buildings. Apart from decreasing the size of elementary classes, Britons wanted reforms in rural education. In addition, the British wanted to improve the qualifications of educators. The country was also worried that teenage employees were always in and out of their jobs. In addition, it was necessary to construct additional secondary Schools and maintain a stipend in appropriate cases, especially students aged 14 years and above with (Dale 2000, p. 285). During this time, there was mounting pressure from the locals for the government to extend provision for higher learning education. When it comes to Evening and Adult Education, there was a necessity for the government to work togetherwith the employers and workers while improving the productivity of all the learning institutions that prepare the young people for their calling in life. The first labor government understood that in order to accomplish such objectives required unique settings of service and the better pay for educators. The public was worried that the shocking rise in the industrial disagreements would damage the country’s dominance in the international markets. Therefore, first labor government wanted to arrest this situation. Its solution was to work together with all participants in the industry including investors, executives and employees. Subsequently, it was necessary to ensure impartial distribution of its returns amongst all participants. Success of the British trade was only achievable through collaboration and good will, not socialism. Cooperation could also ensure that workers received better pay and improved security of the jobs (Janda, Harmel, Edens and Goff 1995, p. 178). Extension of a comprehensive co-ordination of the Insurance Act started by the Conservative Party prior to World War II had now become an issue of critical national safety. Based on the Liberal policy, numerous functional structures such as social and economic insurance were to be corrected and merged in order to ensure that the benefits would allow families to enjoy a sensible maintenance without having to ask for assistance from the Poor Law. One of the factors that put the labor party in power was the need to streamline the pension sector and make funds available to the concerned parties. In addition, the government did not provide allowances to widows and teenage orphans during their study life. In addition, employed persons below the age of 70 were not receiving financial assistance outside the Poor Law (Rose 1999, p. 153). The issues were to be addressed through contributory insurance, retaining confidence and assuring the safety of all destitute British. One of the key social problems experienced in Britain during this period was the excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks. It was necessary for the government to address the problem before it could become worse. However, the government led by the Conservative Party disappointed the citizens. It is noted that few actions were taken to cub this menace (Janda, Robert, Christine and Patricia 1995, p. 173). Its approach to sobriety legislation was demonstrated by the disregard for sobriety suggestions presented by Welsh Liberal members. The people could not believe in the manifestos of the Conservative Party, especially those created while they were in the opposition. They failed to accomplish the manifestos when in power. Conclusion Many factors led to the formation of the first labor government in 1924. In as much as the Conservative Party promised to reduce the rate of unemployment, they failed to accomplish their objective. Instead, the country experienced a further increase in unemployment rates. In addition, the Conservative Party backed the restoration of economic and commercial associations with the Russian people instead of focusing on the restoration of the country’s credit and preparation of its industry to recapture of foreign trade. People argued that the Conservative Party was not interested in improving the living standard of its citizens. Instead, it focused on improving their image internationally. The public demanded for the restructuring of tenancy hold system in order to gave authority to the tenure owners to take the harvests obtained by the sellers. List of References Callaghan, J and Phythian, M 2007, "The Labour Party and Foreign Policy," A history (2007) p. 46. Cowling, M 2005, The impact of Labour 1920-1924: the beginning of modern British politics, Cambridge University Press, London Dale, I and Iain, D 2012, Volume Three. Liberal Party General Election Manifestos 1900-1997, Routledge, New York. Dale, I 2000, Conservative party general election manifestos, 1900-1997, vol 1, Psychology Press, UK Darlington, R 2008, Syndicalism and the transition to communism: an international comparative analysis, Ashgate Publishing Ltd, UK Heppell, T and Theakston, K 2013, How Labour Governments Fall: From Ramsay Macdonald to Gordon Brown. Palgrave Macmillan, New York Janda, K, Harmel, R, Edens, C and Goff, P 1995, "Changes in party identity evidence from party Manifestos”, Party Politics, vol 1, no. 2 pp. 171-196. Lowe, N 1989, "Mastering modern British history”, Foreign affairs vol 1815, no. 30 pp. 31-32 Murphy, M 1946, "The British Labor Party and Domestic Reform”, the Journal of Political Economy, pp 522-537. Rose, I 1999, Conservatism and foreign policy during the Lloyd George coalition, 1918-1922. Psychology Press, London Read More