Labour and the New Social Order

"Labour and the New Social Order" was a policy statement adopted by the British Labour Party in 1918. It outlined the party's vision for a post-World War I society, advocating for significant social and economic reforms. Key proposals included full employment with a minimum wage and a maximum workweek, democratic control and public ownership of industries, progressive taxation, and the expansion of educational and social services. This document was drafted by Sidney and Beatrice Webb and committed the Labour Party to a socialist platform, aiming to create a more equitable and just society. The reforms proposed in this statement were influenced by the broader context of "new liberalism," which emphasized the state's role in social welfare and addressed issues of poverty and ill health.12