1931 Labour Party leadership election

none August 2019 1931 Labour Party leadership election Labour_Party_first_logo.png presidential no 1922 Labour Party leadership election (UK) 1922 1932 Labour Party leadership election 1932 1931 8 28 yes Arthurhenderson.jpg Arthur Henderson Unopposed Leader Ramsay MacDonald Arthur Henderson August 2026 The 1931 Labour Party leadership election took place on 28 August 1931 following the expulsion of incumbent Leader Ramsay MacDonald from the Party. Background In response to the great depression there had been a run on the Bank of England in early 1931. As a result a Committee on National Expenditure was formed, chaired by George May. The result was the May Report published on 31 July which suggested significant spending cuts, including a 10% cut to the unemployment benefit. While a narrow majority (11 to 9) of the cabinet supported this, those opposed, led by Foreign Secretary Arthur Henderson, told MacDonald that they were prepared to resign from the government if that was implemented. Left in an untenable position, MacDonald tended his resignation to the King on 24 August. However instead of accepting it the King urged MacDonald to form a National Government with the main opposition parties, the Conservatives and the Liberals. When this was announced later that day the majority of Labour ministers resigned and a meeting of Parliamentary Labour Party was set for the following Thursday.MacDonald Formes a National Government https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kIRQAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=Ramsay+MacDonald+Arthur+Henderson&article_id=5689,7767062&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBs8GQguOTAxW2VUEAHfPMGg4Q6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=Ramsay%20MacDonald%20Arthur%20Henderson&f=false 10 April 2026 The Glasgow Herald 25 August 1931 London, UK 1 At that meeting MacDonald and the other Labour members of the National Government were expelled from party and leadership declared vacant. Candidates Declared candidates Arthur Henderson, former Leader, Member of Parliament for Burnley Potential candidates who declined to run J. R. Clynes, incumbent Deputy Leader, Member of Parliament for Manchester Platting Results Arthur Henderson was the only candidate who stood, and was elected Leader unopposed by the Parliamentary Labour Party.http://privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~tquinn/labour_party.htm Labour Party 19 January 2017 1 February 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170201234044/http://privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~tquinn/labour_party.htm dead Notes References Marquand David David Marquand Ramsay MacDonald Jonathan Cape London 1977 1931 Labour Party leadership Labour Party leadership election Labour Party (UK) leadership election Category:Ramsay MacDonald Labour Party leadership election Category:Arthur Henderson