Mark Abrams (1) (1906–1994)

A very interesting analysis of the state of the Labour Party in the UK as of 1960, at a point where the party had lost its third straight (1951, 1955, 1959) general election. The authors use polling data, as well as the contribution from a major socialist leader-writer, to try to figure out where Labour had gone wrong. One of the problems identified seems to be image based; Hugh Gaitskell was not viewed as a leader that was as strong as Harold Macmillain, the then-leader of the Tories. Issues with nationalization, an important Labour plank, are also identified. A further identification comes from a failure to attract the youth vote. In short, Labour's image was tied to its "Geordie" origins. I do wonder if, in some respects, this foreshadows Tony Blair's emergence 35 years later, with "New Labour." Period piece, but quite interesting.… (mais)