Description

Admin History:

The Labour Solidarity Campaign (LSC) was established after the special Labour Party conference held at Wembley in February 1981. It was intended to maintain what were described as the 'traditional values and ideals of a democratic Labour Party', to prevent the loss of support to the newly-established Social Democratic Party, and to counter the activities of the 'undemocratic Left' within the Party. Its joint chairmen were Roy Hattersley and Peter Shore with, initially, Ken Woolmer MP as secretary and Austin Mitchell MP as Treasurer. Supporters included figures such as Denis Healey, Sam Silkin, Jack Ashley, John Smith, Gwyneth Dunwoody and Merlyn Rees. In practical terms the group aimed to moderate the effects of the introduction of re-selection for MPs, and of the electoral college for the selection of the Party leader, preferring one-member one-vote. The group, which included well over 100 MPs amongst its membership, supported Denis Healey as Deputy Leader, securing a narrow victory over Tony Benn in 1981, and also the Neil Kinnock/Roy Hattersley leadership ticket after the departure of Michael Foot and Denis Healey. The group was discontinued in mid-1988 by which time it was considered to have secured most of its original objectives.

Description:

Material relating to the Labour Solidarity Campaign (1981-1988). The collection includes meeting minutes and recordings; financial records; correspondence; subject files; publicity material; and photographs.

Note: The number of letters written by each individual correspondent is indicated in brackets after their name, for example: Margaret Thatcher (3).