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Labour’s 29 men of 1906 are well worth a read
by Keith Flett

THE Labour Representation Committee (LRC) was formed in 1900 to secure parliamentary representation for working people: “labour.” Its aim was not to form a majority Labour government — such a matter was unthought of at the time.

Twenty-nine MPs were elected under the LRC banner in 1906 and the Parliamentary Labour Party was formed. The vote for who should lead it was tied on the first round and on a subsequent vote Independent Labour Party member Keir Hardie just edged ahead.

Naturally there was a good deal of interest in who the 29 Labour members were.

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