James Ramsey MacDonald Biography and Timeline

Birth of James Ramsey MacDonald

Birth of James Ramsey MacDonald

Independent Labour Party

Appointed Member of Independent Labour Party

Labour Representation Committee (LRC)

The Labour Represention Committee is founded at a Conference in London

Role range: 1900-1906

Election

During the "Khaki election" the new Labour Party has only £33 expenses and wins just 62,698 votes

Labour Representation Committee (LRC)

During the "Khaki election" the new Labour Party has only £33 expenses and wins just 62,698 votes

First Secretary

Appointed First Secretary of the Labour Party, 1st term

Role range: 1900-1906

Labour Representation Committee (LRC)

The Independent Labour Party nominee Ramsay MacDonald is elected as Secretary of the Labour Representation Committee

London County Council

Appointed Member of London County Council

Role range: 1901-1904

Labour Representation Committee (LRC)

Support for the LRC is boosted by the Taff Vale Case, a dispute between strikers and a railway company that ended with the union being ordered to pay £23,000 damages for a strike

Labour Representation Committee (LRC)

The acquiescence to the Taff Vale Case of the Conservative Government to business interests (traditional allies of the Liberal Party in opposition to the Conservative's landed interests) intensified support for the LRC against a government that appeared to have little concern for workers

Taff Vale Case

Support for the LRC is boosted by the Taff Vale Case, a dispute between strikers and a railway company that ended with the union being ordered to pay £23,000 damages for a strike

Taff Vale Case

The Taff Vale judgement effectively made strikes illegal since employers could recoup the cost of lost business from the unions

Taff Vale Case

The acquiescence to the Taff Vale Case of the Conservative Government to business interests (traditional allies of the Liberal Party in opposition to the Conservative's landed interests) intensified support for the LRC against a government that appeared to have little concern for workers

Socialism and Society

Publication of "Socialism and Society"

Election

The LRC ins 29 seats, helped by a secret Gladstone-MacDonald pact in 1903 between Ramsay MacDonald and Liberal Chief Whip Herbert Gladstone to avoid splitting the opposition vote between Labour and Liberal candidates

First Secretary

Appointed First Secretary of the Labour Party, 2nd term

Role range: 1906-1912

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament for Leicester

Role range: 1906-1918

Party Leader

Appointed Party Leader of the Labour Party, 1st term

Role range: 1906-1911

Labour Representation Committee (LRC)

The LRC ins 29 seats, helped by a secret Gladstone-MacDonald pact in 1903 between Ramsay MacDonald and Liberal Chief Whip Herbert Gladstone to avoid splitting the opposition vote between Labour and Liberal candidates

Labour and the Empire

Publication of "Labour and the Empire"

Socialism and Government

Publication of "Socialism & Government"

Party Leader

Appointed Party Leader of the Labour Party, 2nd term

Role range: 1911-1914

Party Treasurer

Appointed Treasurer

Role range: 1912-1924

Labour and the Empire

Publication of "Labour and the Empire"

The Awakening of India

Publication of "The Social Unrest". Publication of "The Awakening of India"

The Social Unrest

Publication of "The Social Unrest". Publication of "The Awakening of India"

Dismissal

Loses the leadership due to his opposition to World War 1

Resignation of James Ramsey MacDonald

Resigns the Party leadership because of British involvement in World War I

Parliament and Revolution

Publication of "The Government of India". Publication of "Parliament and Revolution"

The Government of India

Publication of "The Government of India". Publication of "Parliament and Revolution"

Election

Loses the Woolwich election because of his anti-war record

Election

Labour come 2nd with 138 seats

Role range: 1922-1931

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament for Aberavon

Party Leader

Appointed Party Leader of the Labour Party, 2nd term. Appointed Party Leader of the Labour Party

Role range: 1922-1931

Election

The Labour Party win 30.7% of votes cast & 191 MPs

Role range: 1922-1931

Foreign Secretary of Great Britain

Appointed Foreign Minister

Role range: 1924-1924 – 1924-1924

Prime Minister of Great Britain

Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1st term

Role range: 1924-1924 – 1924-1924

Secretary of Labour Party

Appointed Secretary of the Labour Party

Role range: 1924-1924 – 1924-1924

Conference of London

Hosts a Conference to discuss the implementation of the Dawes Plan

Role range: 1924-1924 – 1924-1924

Dawes Plan

Hosts a Conference to discuss the implementation of the Dawes Plan

Role range: 1924-1924 – 1924-1924