LABOR PARTY, The, a British political party made up of trade unions, trades councils, Socialist societies and labor associations. The name was adopted by the Labor Representation Committee in 1906 and its purpose was de clared to be the maintaining of a parliamentary Labor party acting independently as to policy and workings. In order to secure the election of truly representative candidates, these candi dates must accept their constitution and fol low the decisions of the groups. An affiliated society has to become financially responsible for its candidates selected in conference in the constituency. The Labor party business is carried on by an executive committee of 13 members, nine representing trades unions, one trade councils and three Socialist societies. Funds are raised by assessing affiliated societies at two pence per member per annum. The canch dates must appear before their constituents under the title of Labor candidates only. While, in 1910, the Labor party had but 42 representatives in the House of Commons with its 670 members it Ihad even then proved itself a powerful factor in legislation. In 1916 the
voting power of the Labor party was approxi mately 1,500,000 and became, politically, the central Socialist body for Great Britain, with 37 members in Parliament and‘its ex-chairman, J. Ramsay MacDonald, M.P. The Independent Labor party is an off-shoot of the Labor party and was established in 1893 but actively sup ports members of the parent concern at times. Dissenting from the majority on a vote at the beginning of the war on absolute co-operation during the war, Chairman MacDonald resigned and Arthur Henderson succeeded and on enter ing the Coalition Cabinet (1915) the chair manship devolved on John Hodge. W. Brace, M.P. and G. H. Roberts, M.P., former offi cials of the Labor party were also taken into the ministry.