Changes

The Labour Party was formed out of an alliance of several prominent left-wing and socialist movements that existed in Britain at the turn of the century. Chief amongst them the were the [[Trades Union Congress]], the [[Fabian Society]], and the [[Independent Labour Party]]. The group took the name [[Labour Representation Committee]], later adopting the name Labour Party after achieving seats in the [[House of Commons]] at the 1906 election.  Much of the intellectual energy came from the [[Fabian Socialism|Fabians, an informal group of intellectual socialists.]]  [[Keir Hardie]] was the first leader of the party.

The Labour Party was formed out of an alliance of several prominent left-wing and socialist movements that existed in Britain at the turn of the century. Chief amongst them the were the [[Trades Union Congress]], the [[Fabian Society]], and the [[Independent Labour Party]]. The group took the name [[Labour Representation Committee]], later adopting the name Labour Party after achieving seats in the [[House of Commons]] at the 1906 election.  Much of the intellectual energy came from the [[Fabian Socialism|Fabians, an informal group of intellectual socialists.]]  [[Keir Hardie]] was the first leader of the party.

The rise of [[Marxist]] socialism in the late 19th century in the Social Democratic Federation (SDF) (1881-1911) did not create a militantly atheistic and anti-religious force. From its beginnings, circa 1881, the SDF contained [[Christian socialists]], non-Christians, and anti-Christians. These groups generally coexisted in a state of compromise. The membership of the SDF was generally secularist and freethinking but religion was not a central issue. For all parties in the SDF, the central issue was commitment to socialism.  

The rise of [[Marxist]] socialism in the late 19th century in the Social Democratic Federation (SDF) (1881-1911) did not create a militantly atheistic and anti-religious force. From its beginnings, circa 1881, the SDF contained [[Christian socialists]], non-Christians, and anti-Christians. These groups generally coexisted in a state of compromise. Though Labour was not an openly religious organization “it was nevertheless permeated by religion both in its origin and in its subsequent development”. The [[French Revolution]]’s principles of “liberty, fraternity and equality,” were important, as were “early Owenite socialism” and [[John Wesley]]'s [[Methodist]] emphasis on helping the poor”.<ref> Nigel Scotland, “Methodism and the English Labour Movement 1800-1906”. ‘’Anvil,’’ Vol. 14, No 11997.</ref> The membership of the SDF was generally secularist and freethinking. For all parties in the SDF, the central issue was commitment to socialism.  

[[File:Labour1910.jpg|thumb|290px|Labour called for abolition of the [[House of Lords]] in 1910; when elected, they kept it and appointed their own favourites to peerages. Later posters dropped the violent imagery and called for peaceful change.]]

[[File:Labour1910.jpg|thumb|290px|Labour called for abolition of the [[House of Lords]] in 1910; when elected, they kept it and appointed their own favourites to peerages. Later posters dropped the violent imagery and called for peaceful change.]]