Working-class politics in Birmingham and Sheffield, 1918-1931
Working-class politics in Birmingham and Sheffield contrasted sharply in the 1920s - Birmingham was a bastion of working-class Conservatism, Sheffield, a Labour stronghold. In the first half of the thesis, we explored this contrast by an examination of the economic, social and political conditions which underlay it. Sheffield's large-scale industry was found to reinforce working-class values and trades union traditions which facilitated Labour's political rise. Birmingham's diversified, often small-scale, economy impeded the development of working-class consciousness and eased inter-class relations. These differences were reflected in the towns' working-class cormtinities. The forms of Sheffield society consolidated the working-class loyalties of which Labour affiliations became one aspect. Birmingham society was more penetrable and possessed a powerful civic tradition of cross-class cooperation. In local government, Birmingham retained a confident, reforming middle-class leadership fulfilling the heritage of Joseph Chamberlain. Sheffield's middle-class politicians retreated into reactionary oppositionism which hastened Labour's advance. Contemporary events in the national economy and politics strengthened
Boughton, John Frederick
DA Great Britain ; HT Communities. Classes. Races
Working-class politics in Birmingham and Sheffield, 1918-1931. Working-class politics in Birmingham and Sheffield contrasted sharply in the 1920s - Birmingham was a bastion of working-class Conservatism, Sheffield, a Labour stronghold. In the first half of the thesis, we explored this contrast by an examination of the economic, social and political conditions which underlay it. Sheffield's large-scale industry was found to reinforce working-class values and trades union traditions which facilitated Labour's political rise. Birmingham's diversified, often small-scale, economy impeded the development of working-class consciousness and eased inter-class relations. These differences were reflected in the towns' working-class cormtinities. The forms of Sheffield society consolidated the working-class loyalties of which Labour affiliations became one aspect. Birmingham society was more penetrable and possessed a powerful civic tradition of cross-class cooperation. In local government, Birmingham retained a confident, reforming middle-class leadership fulfilling the heritage of Joseph Chamberlain. Sheffield's middle-class politicians retreated into reactionary oppositionism which hastened Labour's advance. Contemporary events in the national economy and politics strengthened
working_class politics birmingham sheffield working_class politics birmingham sheffield contrast sharply birmingham bastion working_class conservatism sheffield labour stronghold explore contrast examination economic_social political_condition underlay sheffield large_scale industry find reinforce working_class value trade_union tradition facilitate labour political rise birmingham diversify often small_scale economy impede development working_class consciousness ease inter class relation difference reflect town working_class form sheffield society consolidate working_class loyalty labour affiliation become_one aspect birmingham society possess powerful civic tradition cross class cooperation local_government birmingham retain confident reform middle_class leadership fulfil heritage sheffield middle_class politician retreat reactionary labour advance contemporary_event national economy politics strengthen