In this day-school we will consider how the modern left evolved in Britain into its current form. Beginning with the explosion of ‘new unionism’ in the 1880s and the formation of the Labour Party in the early twentieth century, the story of British socialism will be told through the lives of a number of key radical pioneers and a number of landmark moments such as the General Strike, the 1945 General Election and the rise of New Labour. A number of important questions will be considered. Why was socialism in Britain different in character from its counterparts on the European continent? What was the relationship between a moderate socialism which argued for a parliamentary route to power and those groups which stressed the need for revolution? What were the attitudes of the Left and the wider trade union movement towards key issues such as female suffrage and migration? How does this narrative reflect on the current position of the Labour Party in the uncertain post-Brexit world?
Additional information about this course
This course is not supported by The Education and Skills Funding agency and does not have a fee waiver but concessions may be available. Contact the branch for further details.
Course aim
This course will examine the evolution of the British Left from its formations in the Victorian period to its current position in the early twenty-first century.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Be able to explain the evolution of the British Left
- be able to name some of the key personalities involved in British socialism.
- An ability to place the current position of the Labour Party in a historical context in discussion.
- Demonstrate a broader understanding of British political and social history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in discussion.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
What else do I need to know?
- Nothing else is needed
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
Download full course information sheet
