New Labour's Pasts

Understanding New Labour's past is essential to understanding its ideology, strategy and actions in government. James E. Cronin addresses this past in order to assess the meaning and significance of New Labour, whether it constitutes an effective model for European social democracy, and why it has pursued such an aggressive foreign policy and been so committed to the 'reform' of the public services.

James Cronin is Professor of History at Boston College, USA.

Introduction: New Labour and its Pasts. I. LABOUR'S AMBIGUOUS LEGACY. II. THE LABOUR PARTY, PLANNING AND GROWTH. III. INTERESTS,CONFLICT AND THE PARTY OF PROGRESS. IV. WILSON, HEATH AND BENN REMAKE THE LABOUR PARTY. V. THE OVERWHELMING BURDEN OF OFFICE, 1974-79. VI. DEFEAT, DIVISIONS AND DEFECTIONS, 1979-1983. VII. LABOUR IN THE SHADOW OF THATCHER, 1983-1987. VIII. 'MODERNISE' AND LOSE 1987-1992. IX. THE FITFUL PROGRESS OF 'NEW LABOUR'. X. 'NEW LABOUR'S' MOMENT. XI. THE NEW LABOUR PROJECT IN PRACTICE. Postscript: Bournemouth 2003.