Catalogue Number
NMLH.1999.12
Object Name
Manifesto
Title
Let Us Face The Future. A Declaration Of Labour Policy For The Consideration Of The Nation. Published By The Labour Party. 2d
Place
London & England & UK
People
Attlee, Clement; Member of Parliament
Events
War & World War II; Election, General & 1945
Date
1945
Creator(s) Description
1945 was an important year for the British Labour Party. Founded in 1900, it had twice formed governments in 1924 and 1929, but they did not enjoy a majority in either of these and were heavily defeated by a coalition of all the bourgeois parties in 1931. In 1940, just before the fall of France on the invitation of Winston Churchill it joined a coalition government. It leader Clement Attlee became deputy Prime Minister. When the war in Europe ended, an election was called. Labour presented the country with a radical programme, which included the nationalisation of coal, railways and steel; the formation of a National Health Service and a nationwide extensive housing programme. Labour won the election with a majority of 160 parliamentary seats. Most of the Manifesto promises were carried out within five years.
The V for Victory symbolises the Labour Party's commitment to Britain winning the war. The point was however Britain had to win the peace.
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