Labour 2nd Administration Key Facts

Labour 2nd Administration Key Facts

1. The 1928 extension of Representation of the Peoples Act added 5 million more voters to the register

2. In the 1929 election, 3 million more people voted for Labour (260 seats)

3. To pass any legislation, Labour needed the support of 59 Liberal MPs (led by Lloyd George)

4. Leading Members - MacDonald (PM), Snowden (Chancellor), Henderson (Foreign Secretary)

5. In May 1931, unemployment reached 2.5 million

   • In 1932, unemployment reached 3 million (23% of insured workers)

6. 1930 Coal Mines Act - Reduced miners' working day from 8 hours to 7.5 hours

7. On Black Thursday (24th October 1929), 13 million shares were dumped

8. Mosely's Memorandum - import restrictions, subsidies for farmers, bulk purchase for dominions, government control of banks, old age pensions at 60, school leaving age at 16

9. The cost of the unemployment benefit reached £125 million in 1931

10. The May Report recommended 10% pay cut in public-sector jobs

    • This was only approved by 11 votes to 9, causing MacDonald to resign the Labour government