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Harold Laski in Government

Oppo

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According to Wikipedia, in 1923, MacDonald offered Laski a cabinet position and a seat in parliament. Is there any truth to what Wikipedia says and if so, what impacts would Laski have on British politics?

To start, could Laski tip the scales in favor of a Lansbury leadership coup after 1924? Could he survive the 1931 landslide, and if so, how does he rebuild Labour compared to Attlee IOTL? Does his disillusionment towards electoralism and refusal to rule out violent revolution doom the Labour Party? Could his presence in politics trigger greater anti-Semitism? One could argue that Churchill’s claims about Laski being the power behind the throne if Labour won were a form of Judeo-Bolshevism.

Even ignoring British politics, let’s not forget some of Laski’s students and the influence they had on the world - names such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Ralph Miliband, and Pierre Trudeau. Is there anyone of a similar stature that could influence them in a different direction?
 
Even ignoring British politics, let’s not forget some of Laski’s students and the influence they had on the world - names such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Ralph Miliband, and Pierre Trudeau. Is there anyone of a similar stature that could influence them in a different direction?
G.D.H Cole could become an influence instead if gets the right students and all that.
To start, could Laski tip the scales in favor of a Lansbury leadership coup after 1924?
Probably not, Lansbury was a bit too Left Wing for the tastes of a large portion of Labour Party MPs. Though he could probably help strengthen the Left a bit more.
Could he survive the 1931 landslide, and if so, how does he rebuild Labour compared to Attlee IOTL? Does his disillusionment towards electoralism and refusal to rule out violent revolution doom the Labour Party?
Depends on where his seat is, as for how he rebuilds the Labour Party, I would imagine something like a more aggressive Stafford Cripps leadership, since the pair worked together quite often. I could see him trying to a Foster a Popular Front strategy in the Mid 30s which would have effects.
 
I could see him trying to a Foster a Popular Front strategy in the Mid 30s which would have effects.
IOTL Laski was involved in the 1937 Popular Front attempt spearheaded by the Socialist League.

On another note, I'd like to add that Laski suffered from a nervous breakdown from overwork - this could be a problem if he ever became Prime Minister.
 
On another note, I'd like to add that Laski suffered from a nervous breakdown from overwork - this could be a problem if he ever became Prime Minister.
Interesting, though politicians have a habit of doing stuff like that (Kinnock and his bouts of depression come to mind). I think if he was smart he would have an idea of who could succeed him if shit hit the wall.
IOTL Laski was involved in the 1937 Popular Front attempt spearheaded by the Socialist League.
Makes sense, imagine if it had the support of the whole Labour Party behind it. Also if Laski was like Cripps maybe he’d try and abuse some crises for power.
 
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