His Majesty's Opposition

His Majesty's Opposition: Structure and Problems of the British Labour Party 1931–1938 offers an in-depth examination of the Labour Party during its pivotal years as His Majesty's Opposition in Parliament. This study focuses on the Party's structure, resources, and challenges following the seismic political shifts of the 1931 General Election. While briefly outlining the Party's origins and meteoric rise from humble beginnings to a position of national prominence, the book primarily delves into Labour's organizational framework and its strategic responses to the political landscape of the time. Written with an American perspective, the author reflects on the fascination many progressive Americans have with the Labour Party's success story—particularly its ability to build a major political organization without the corrupting influences of a spoils system or reliance on wealthy financiers. Rather than attempting a comprehensive history, the study provides a focused analysis of Labour's evolution and the complexities it faced during a critical six-year period, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of British politics and the challenges of sustaining a progressive political movement. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1940.