Conclusion

The labour governments of 1945–51 could boast proudly of many great achievements. By way of contrast, any assessment of the Labour Left during this period must acknowledge that its positive accomplishments and victories were few. It has been my main purpose to argue, however, that the experience of Labour’s left wing during the early postwar era constitutes a chapter of great importance in the history of the larger party to which it belonged, and in the history of the British Left generally. ¹