ABSTRACT
The conversion of trade unions to a national Labour Party in opposition to all other parties was bound to give rise to difficulties. The Labour Representation Committee (L.R.C.), henceforth officially known as the Labour Party, held its sixth annual conference in the middle of February. The conference elected a L.R.C., consisting of seven trade unionists, two members of the Independent Labour Party (I.L.P.), two members of the Social Democratic Federation, and one of the Fabian Society. The nation grasped somehow the truth that an independent Labour Party meant a reorganisation of society on socialist lines. The process of shattering trade union law began in 1896, but failed to attract much attention at the time owing to the insignificant nature of the actions. It was therefore necessary above everything to withdraw the practical application of the resolution from the Trade Union Congress and its traditionally Liberal organ, the Parliamentary Committee, and to place it in the hands of the I.L.P.
