Independent Labour Party

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Independent Labour Party

political party, United Kingdom

Also known as: ILP

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June 29, 2026

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The Independent Labour Party (ILP) was a British political party founded in 1893. It emerged from a desire among working-class individuals to have their own parliamentary representatives, as the Liberal Party, then the dominant social-reform party, was not adequately addressing their needs.1

The ILP was instrumental in forming the Labour Representation Committee in 1900, which eventually became the Labour Party in 1906. The early Labour Party, with which the ILP was closely associated, aimed to promote an active state role in economic prosperity and social services, opposing the Conservative Party and advocating for democratic socialism.1

The Labour Party's growth was significantly boosted after World War I due to internal disputes within the Liberal Party and electoral reforms. By 1922, Labour had replaced the Liberals as the main opposition party.1

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James Maxton
…to gain support for the Independent Labour Party (ILP). After a year’s imprisonment in 1916 for a strong antiwar speech, Maxton became a paid organizer for the ILP and in 1922 was elected to Parliament as a representative of the Bridgeton division of Glasgow, a position he held until his…
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…to gain support for the Independent Labour Party (ILP). After a year’s imprisonment in 1916 for a strong antiwar speech, Maxton became a paid organizer for the ILP and in 1922 was elected to Parliament as a representative of the Bridgeton division of Glasgow, a position he held until his…
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Labour Party
History
…trade unions) cooperated with the Independent Labour Party (founded in 1893) to establish a Labour Representation Committee, which took the name Labour Party in 1906. The early Labour Party lacked a nationwide mass membership or organization; up to 1914 it made progress chiefly through an informal agreement with the Liberals…
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…trade unions) cooperated with the Independent Labour Party (founded in 1893) to establish a Labour Representation Committee, which took the name Labour Party in 1906. The early Labour Party lacked a nationwide mass membership or organization; up to 1914 it made progress chiefly through an informal agreement with the Liberals…
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United Kingdom
Imperialism and British politics
The Independent Labour Party, founded in Bradford in 1893, had a more general appeal, while the Fabian Society, founded in 1883–84, included intellectuals who were to play a large part in 20th-century labour politics. In February 1900 a labour representation conference was held in London at…
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The Independent Labour Party, founded in Bradford in 1893, had a more general appeal, while the Fabian Society, founded in 1883–84, included intellectuals who were to play a large part in 20th-century labour politics. In February 1900 a labour representation conference was held in London at…
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Fenner Brockway
Brockway joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP; Labour’s left-wing offshoot) and served as ILP general secretary (1923–26 and 1933–39), chairman (1931–33), and political secretary (1939–46), but he returned to the Labour Party in 1946. He represented Labour in Parliament (1929–31 and 1950–64), where his fight for independence for…
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Brockway joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP; Labour’s left-wing offshoot) and served as ILP general secretary (1923–26 and 1933–39), chairman (1931–33), and political secretary (1939–46), but he returned to the Labour Party in 1946. He represented Labour in Parliament (1929–31 and 1950–64), where his fight for independence for…
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