ABSTRACT
during the last year and a half of Labour government (from March 1950 until October 1951), Labour Left disenchantment with administration policies was as profound, and as broadly based, as ever before. The dangers of open rebellion were more grave, however. The general election of February 1950 left Labour with a wafer-thin majority of six in the House. In order to carry legislation, the government usually needed every Member to enter the lobby on its behalf. Cabinet ministers and backbenchers alike had to turn up and vote, no matter what their health and regardless of constituency or other obligations, or they had to make sure ahead of time that their presence was not crucial. Under such circumstances, any serious defection of Labour votes would lead, almost inevitably, to the defeat of the government. Thus this period poses the dilemma of the parliamentary Labour Left more clearly, perhaps, than any other. 1
