This fascinating book brings together a collection of original documents, many previously unpublished, which trace the history of the Labour Party from its electoral zenith in 1951, through the disasters and divisions of the early 1980s to the Party's apparent revival under Tony Blair. Focusing on how competing elements within the Party responded to persistent electoral failure, it indicates the extent to which the original vision of 'socialism' was consequently transformed.

The documents show how the leadership and Party members in the constituencies profoundly disagreed over the political implications of post-war social change. They further demonstrate that Labour's 'socialism' has always been a contested concept, the meaning of which divided as much as united the Party faithful.