Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Labour Representation League

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

The Labour Representation League, organised in 1869, was a forerunner of the British Labour Party. Its original purpose was to register the working class to vote, and get workers into Parliament. It had limited power and was never intended to become a full political party, but played a role in supporting the election of Lib-Lab MPs. The first secretary was Cooperative Society activist and trade unionist, Lloyd Jones.

In 1874, the League won two parliamentary seats.

In 1886 the TUC created the Labour Electoral Association to replace the League, which in turn lead to the creation of the Labour Party.

Note: As well as above, there was a labourite proto-party under that name in western Canada, in Edmonton, Alberta for example, in the late 1910s (see Alberta Labor Representation League).

Secretaries

1869: Lloyd Jones 1873: Henry Broadhurst 1880: John Hales

References

Labour Representation League Wikipedia