Dickie, Marie (1987) Town patriotism and the rise of Labour : Northampton 1918-1939. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The thesis seeks to determine the relationship between community
feeling and political activity in one interwar town, Northampton.
It is argued that localism continued to be an important dimension
of social and political experience in this period for businessmen,
employers and workers. The development of modern industrial
relations and welfare policies in industry gave employers a renewed
interest in their location of operations. Depression and decline
in the private enterprise economy made municipal intervention
important to both the lower middle class and the working class. At
the same time central governments expanded the role of local
authorities by giving them more mandatory responsibilities and greater
funding. A public culture developed in Northampton which stressed
service to the common interest and meritocratic leadership. In this
context the Labour Party was able to gain some legitimate authority
in the town community. Its leaders were accorded a grudging acceptance
in the meritocracy. The ethos of public and political life was
reflected in neighbourhood and workplace experience. Most Northamptonians
defined their social identity in terms of citizenship rather than class.
However, there were a number of social, economic and industrial factors
which produced a crisis in the 1933 to 1935 period. That crisis increased
Labour support and led to abstention by many non-Labour voters. A
different approach to the study of society and politics in Britain from
1918 to 1939 is advocated on the basis of the Northampton evidence. It is
noted that there already exists considerable material showing that there
was a wide range of difference in local response to government social
policy. It is also argued that the Labour Party's philosophy and
electoral performance during these years may owe more to community
influences than has previously been acknowledged.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Northampton (England) -- Politics and government -- 20th century, Northampton (England) -- Social conditions -- 20th century, Labour Party (Great Britain) -- History, Industrial management -- England -- Northampton -- History -- 20th century
Official Date:	September 1987
Dates:	Date Event September 1987 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Social History
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Extent:	189 leaves
Language:	eng

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