Labour Party

The Labour Party
The Labour Party is a centre-left to left wing political party that has been described as an alliance of social democrats, democratic socialists and trade unionists. The party's platform emphasises greater state intervention, social justice and strengthening workers' rights.

Pre 2000s
The Labour Party was founded in 1900, having grown out of the trade union movement and socialist parties of the 19th century. It overtook the Liberal Party to become the main opposition to the Conservative Party in the early 1920s, forming two minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in the 1920s and early 1930s. Labour served in the wartime coalition of 1940–1945, after which Clement Attlee's Labour government established the National Health Service and expanded the welfare state from 1945 to 1951. Under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, Labour again governed from 1964 to 1970 and 1974 to 1979. In the 1990s, Tony Blair took Labour closer to the centre as part of his "New Labour" project, which governed the UK under Blair.

2001-2003
Under the leadership of Thomas Owen, Labour was initially the party in Opposition, however after the Liberal Democrat-led coalition broke down with the conservatives, Labour was invited to join the Liberal Democrats in Government.

2003
Generally considered the unluckiest year for Labour. After the Labour Leader Thomas Owen went into a medical coma, Labour went through a many leaders, Terri O'Connell, David Davidson (Resigned after a major Labour defeat in the 2003 General Election), John Bercow, (Caretaker leader, resigned when Thomas Owen returned). Thomas Owen has since regained control of the party once more after the disastrous year.

Labour HQ Bombing
IRA Terrorists blew up Labour HQ, killing 70 people including Karen Davidson and two of her children.

2008 General Election
After a general election defeat, Sir Thomas Owen resigned as leader of the party to pursue the role of Speaker of the House. Nate Cottrill won the leadership election 5-4 against Jane Davidson-Bercow.

Nate Cottrill Death
After an attack outside Lincoln Cathedral, Labour Leader Nate Cottrill was brutally stabbed several times before passing away during surgery. She served from 2008 to late 2009. A statue was erected in Lincoln to commemorate her service to her constituents.