Jon Cruddas Journalist Profile

Articles

Solving the “labour question”

Jun 19, 2024 | newstatesman.com | Jon Cruddas

In 1997, following years of Conservative-led deindustrialisation, mass unemployment and the decline of trade unions, the Labour Party had the opportunity to make the working class both the key drivers and beneficiaries of the national economy. Yet the new government resisted this option; a decision that would have major political and economic consequences over the next quarter century.
A Turbulent Story — Chartist

Mar 22, 2024 | chartist.org.uk | Jon Cruddas

Jon Cruddas - credit: Chris McAndrew \ WikiMedia CC Jon Cruddas reflects on the 100th anniversary of the first Labour governmentLabour’s history is sprawling and complex, filled with extraordinary highs and epic lows. As we mark the centenary of the first Labour government it is worth re-exploring this history to reconsider the present. There have been six periods of Labour government. The first two, in 1924 and between 1929 and 1931, were minority administrations.
Labour intensive

Feb 1, 2024 | islingtontribune.co.uk | George Binette |Jon Cruddas

Ramsay MacDonald and Clement AttleeUNUSUALLY for a book by a soon-to-retire MP that isn’t full of salacious Westminster gossip, Jon Cruddas’s A Century of Labour garnered newspaper headlines (well, at least in The Observer) prior to its official launch. Cruddas, perhaps emboldened by his imminent departure from Parliament, had issued a far-from-flattering assessment of Labour’s direction of travel under Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Labour and the curse of history

Jan 22, 2024 | newstatesman.com | Jon Cruddas

Britain’s first Labour government took office a century ago, on 22 January 1924. The night before, Labour’s first prime minister Ramsay MacDonald privately acknowledged the impending challenge, writing “the load will be heavy and I am so much alone”. Labour’s deputy leader JR Clynes recalled MacDonald saying “God knows full well that none of us wants office now. None of us wants to face this mess. But somebody has got to do it.” Labour’s present leadership might harbour similar concerns.
A magnum opus: Lord Clark reviews 'A Century of Labour'

Jan 15, 2024 | politicshome.com | Jon Cruddas |Noa Hoffman

3 min read A sophisticated and revealing history, Jon Cruddas writes with great style When I first saw this book, I wondered if there was really the need for another history of the Labour Party. As I began reading, it became clear I was wrong. This book is different and adds greatly to our understanding of the emergence of Labour as a party of government. It is particularly relevant as on 24 January 2024, it is 100 years since Labour first became the government of Britain.
Book review: Cruddas reveals how unhappy many Labour people are with Starmer

Jan 5, 2024 | conservativehome.com | Jon Cruddas |Andrew Gimson

A Century of Labour by Jon CruddasSir Keir Starmer gazes across the cover of this book at Ramsay MacDonald,. What do they make of each other? One can’t help thinking Sir Keir looks anxious, perhaps recalling how it all went terribly wrong for MacDonald, while MacDonald looks dubious, perhaps reflecting that in the nature of things, and especially of Labour leaders, there is a high probability it will all go terribly wrong for Sir Keir.
A Century of Labour

Dec 11, 2023 | wiley.com | Jon Cruddas

‘This dense history of ideas is not a breezy read – but it adds up to a heartfelt plea for pluralism from a Labour thinker whose parliamentary career is drawing to a close just as his party enters a new chapter.’ The Guardian 'Jon Cruddas is a member of that relatively rare species, an active politician who is also an intellectual.'Chris Mullin, The Spectator ‘If the Labour Party is to win office and govern effectively, it should study A Century of Labour, and embrace the deep lessons it...
Jon Cruddas: 'Every leader before Keir Starmer has accepted Labour is a broad church. Why can't he?'

Oct 7, 2023 | politics.co.uk | Jon Cruddas

Labour faces two huge strategic challenges: first how to win power, and second how to use it to change our country for the better. The polls – for now at least – suggest it will clear the first hurdle, but what of the second? The country is in a mess. We desperately need a bold and reforming Labour-led government to rebuild our economy and crumbling public services, restore trust in our democracy whilst tackling the climate crisis head-on.
'Starmerism is not a Blairite project. New Labour's liberal quality is under threat' - LabourList

Aug 8, 2023 | labourlist.org | Jon Cruddas

In 1995, at a key moment in the creation of New Labour, Tony Blair gave a speech to the Fabian Society to mark the 50th anniversary of Clement Attlee’s 1945 victory. In his speech, Blair embedded New Labour within the work of philosophers such as JA Hobson and LT Hobhouse, pioneers of early 20th century New Liberalism.
Labour led by right-wing, illiberal group engaged in witch-hunt, says MP

Jul 1, 2023 | inkl.com | Jon Cruddas

Neal Lawson, the chief executive of the Compass think tank, hit out at the party on Friday and claimed that he faced expulsion from Labour after 44 years of membership. The move has threatened to spark a row over factionalism, as left-wing figures within the party accused Sir Keir Starmer and his top team of marginalising dissenting voices.