New Labour, Old Labour: The Wilson and Callaghan Governments 1974-1979

How does New Labour compare with old Labour? What can we learn about the current Government by looking at its predecessor? How does New Labour interpret the record of old Labour in power? We are constantly told that New Labour forms an historic departure from the traditions of the Labour Party. This book, written by a distinguished selection of academics and commentators, provides the most detailed comparison yet of old and new Labour in power. It is also the first to offer a comprehensive analysis of the last Labour Government before the rise of Thatcher and the re-emergence of the Labour Party under Tony Blair's leadership. It reveals much about the history of the Labour Party as well as providing a much-needed context from which to judge the current government. Contributors include: Vernon Bogdanor, Raymond Plant, Jim Tomlinson, Robert Taylor, Polly Toynbee, David Walker, Roy Lowe, John W Young, Ann Lane, Chris Ballinger, Philip Norton, Kevin Theakston, Ed Gouge, Dilys M Hill, Brendan O'Leary, Eric Shaw, Steven Fielding, Stuart Holland, Kenneth O Morgan, Peter Riddell, Robert Skidelsky and Dennis Kavanagh. They compare all the key aspects of the political thought and policy of the Wilson-Callaghan Government of 1979 with the Blair Government making this book essential reading for all of those interested in how Labour, both past and present, governs. Vernon Bogdanor, Brasenose College, University of Oxford Steven Fielding, Centre for Contemporary History and Politics, University of Salford Ed Gouge, Centre for British Go

Table of Contents:
Part 1: The Framework of Ideas 1. 1974: The Crisis of Old Labour 2. Political Thought: Socialism in a Cold Climate 3. Economic Thought Part 2: Domestic and Foreign Policies 4. Economic Policy 5. Trades Union Policy: The Rise and Fall of the Social Contract 6. Social Policy and Inequality 7. Education Policy 8. Europe 9. Foreign and Defence Policy Part 3: Government and Politics 10. Prime Ministers and Cabinet 11. Parliament 12. Central and Local Government 13. Devolution 14. Northern Ireland 15. The Labour Party Part 4: Perspectives 16. The 1974-9 Governments and 'New' Labour 17. The Industrial Strategy 18. Was Britain Dying? 19. Forgetting History: How New Labour Sees Old Labour 20. The Worst of Governments. Conclusion: Reading and Misreading Old Labour

About the Author :
Anthony Seldon is one of Britain's foremost political experts. He is Tony Blair's authorised biographer and his previous books include; The Powers Behind the Prime Minister (2001), The Blair Effect (2001), The Foreign Office (2000), Britain Under Thatcher (1999), Major (1998) and The Heath Government (1996). Kevin Hickson is Lecturer in British Politics at the University of Liverpool. He is co-editor of the forthcoming The Struggle for Labour's Soul: Understanding the Political Thought of the Labour Party (2004).

Review :
'I absolutely recommend this book to anyone judging today both the Blair government and the Labour government of 1974-78.' - Steve Richards, GMTV, Sunday Breakfast Show