Protest and Power: The Battle For the Labour Party

by David Kogan

Labour has shifted from the New Left, to New Labour, to Corbynista Labour. Now, it may see power again with a most unlikely group of activists from the 1970s becoming the fourth generation to win power since 1945.

Only Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson and Tony Blair have won power from a sitting Conservative government. Of the ten general elections since 1979, Labour has won three, all under Blair. This record of failure, if applied to any other walk of life, would raise the fundamental question of why continue to fight a losing battle? For Labour, it asks whether it is a party of protest – designed only to be a voice from opposition, commenting on the flaws and falsities of Conservative police – or a party of power?

Including exclusive interviews with key party members from the 1970s to today including Neil Kinnock, Tony Blair, Ed Miliband and Jon Lansman; and the party's recent struggles with antisemitism and Brexit, this book chronicles the conflicts within the Labour party, the schisms between ideologues and pragmatists, and how these fissures seem destined to keep Labour in opposition.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History

448 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2019

About the author

The historian David Kogan has worked in the UK and US media as both a journalist and a senior executive at the BBC, Reuters Television, Granada, Reel Enterprises which he founded, Wasserman Media Group and Magnum Photos as CEO.

Reviews

[Owlseyes]

Corbyn's Revolution...OR CHAOS?*

I reckon a lot of the foreseeable future is in his [Corbyn] hands now. Boris is in dire straits. Prorogation of Parliament has surely emboldened the power of Protest. That's Corbyn turn. Will he and Remainers incorporated turn things around?
31st August 2019

https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/pu...

*https://www.ft.com/content/db9a1fbe-c...

[Martin Lennon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting history of the internal dynamics of the Labour Party. Definitely lots of insight and helps flesh out the context of contemporary British politics.

The last few chapters on the Brexit debates are enough to give you PTSD though.

[Jonathan Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful overview of recent decades in the history of the Labour Party. It didn't feel to me to have the kind of insights or revelations that I was looking for but would recommend to someone wanting an easy read to understand how the various factions and movements within the labour party have won and lost power (though rarely won it in the country).

[Jennifer Bridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful analysis of the rise of Corbyn. I hope that the last chapter will be re-written or added to in light of the recent election. The second half was particularly gripping.

[Honor Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good analysis, enjoyed this, stops at rise of Corbyn and before Brexit. Be interesting to read the follow up.

[Daniel Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have marked this down one star because of the huge number of typos and mistakes, it got so distracting by the end! I hope they got a better proofreader for the paperback...

[David Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent analysis, takes us to the election before last, the leader before last. Calls the Corbyn era well but is fair to both sides

[J M-B · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is useful to have a history that places the phenomenon of Corbyn's leadership of the Labour party in the context of the left activism of his generation. This book offers copious detail about the procedural and organisational means by which the factions within Labour outwitted and circumvented each other, exchanging places in a world of model resolutions, composite motions, block votes, dealing and double-dealing between the 1970s and 2019. It is, however, a history of procedure that gives very little idea of the ideological drivers that divide the state socialists in Labour (from Benn to Corbyn) from the social-democratic 'modernisers' (Blair/Brown). It fails to draw any links between the surge in antisemitism within the party and the attachment of the current leadership to nationalist solutions to the economic and political crises posed by international issues, most pressingly the move to leave the EU. The book is useful but scarcely an adequate response to the to the dangerous times facing democracy at a moment when a government formed from the scrapings of the European Research Group is confronted by an opposition that shares its hostility to free movement of labour across the biggest free trade bloc on earth.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me a while to read as there was so much information packed into it. The fascinating insight into politics and the differences between the left, right and centre MP's of the Labour Party through the years was really interesting. The split between both main parties over the EU and the campaigning of the general elections from the parties from the last 4 decades showed internal struggles, divided loyalties and the movements behind the Leaderships alongside input from the MSM. An interesting read.

[Matt Sharland · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most interesting writing on the labour party’s policies, procedures and makeup and 5 decades of change that led us to today!

Sadly ^^ isn’t that interesting + kier Starmer changed it all when he got into power anyway

[Jacob Petote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic history of post WWII journey of the UK Labour Party as they struggle with identity.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine if Corbyn had been PM! 🤣