Our History

Labour & Civil Society: A Shared Heritage

The story of the Labour Party and civil society is one of intertwined roots and shared values. From the beginning, both movements emerged from the same struggle for social justice, mutual aid, and community empowerment.

1800s–1900s

Origins and Shared Roots

The Labour Party emerged from a rich tapestry of civil society organisations:

  • Working men's associations and mechanics' institutes providing education and mutual support

  • Friendly societies offering healthcare and welfare before the NHS

  • Cooperative movements like the Rochdale Pioneers creating alternative economic models

  • Trade unions organising for workers' rights and social reform

  • Women's suffrage organisations fighting for democratic participation

  • Religious organisations like Methodist churches supporting social reform

  • Settlement houses bringing university students to work in poor communities

These organisations shared key characteristics that would define both Labour and civil society:

  • Democratic member control

  • Mutual aid and solidarity

  • Education and empowerment

  • Community-based organising

  • Social justice mission

  • Voluntary participation

  • Collective action for change

1900-1945

Early Labour Party Formation

The early Labour Party was itself a coalition of civil society organisations:

  • Trade unions provided the organisational backbone

  • The Fabian Society contributed intellectual framework

  • Cooperative societies offered economic alternatives

  • Local Labour churches combined spiritual and social mission

  • Workers' educational associations developed future leaders

  • Women's organisations fought for equality

  • Housing associations tackled living conditions

Many early Labour MPs came directly from these civil society backgrounds:

  • Keir Hardie: Trade union organizer

  • Margaret Bondfield: Shop workers' union activist

  • George Lansbury: Social welfare campaigner

  • Clement Attlee: Settlement house worker

  • Ellen Wilkinson: Workers' education organizer

1945-1951

The post-war Labour government worked in partnership with voluntary organisations to:

  • Establish the NHS alongside voluntary hospitals

  • Develop social care services with charitable providers

  • Create new housing alongside housing associations

  • Support education through voluntary sector partners

  • Deliver welfare services through community organisations

Building the Welfare State

1960s-1990s

The Modern Era

Labour and civil society continued to work together on:

  • Community development and urban renewal

  • Anti-poverty initiatives

  • Race equality and immigration support

  • Women's rights and domestic violence services

  • Environmental protection

  • International development

  • LGBT+ rights

  • Disability rights

1997-2010

The Transformation

Under Labour leadership, the voluntary sector saw unprecedented recognition and support:

  • Creation of the first Minister for the Third Sector role

  • Establishment of Capacitybuilders and Futurebuilders to strengthen sector infrastructure

  • Introduction of Gift Aid reforms that revolutionised charitable giving

  • Launch of the Compact to govern relationships between government and the voluntary sector

  • Strategic investment in voluntary sector delivery of public services

  • Support for community asset transfer and social enterprise development

  • Creation of Community Interest Companies as a new legal form

  • Establishment of youth volunteering initiatives and infrastructure