Labour Representation League


The Labour Representation League, organised in November 1869, was a forerunner of the British Labour Party. Its original purpose was to register the working class to vote, and get workers into Parliament. It had limited power, described by Eugenio Biagini as being "very weak and quite ineffective", and was never intended to become a full political party. However, it played a role in supporting the election of Lib-Lab MPs. The first secretary was Cooperative Society activist and trade unionist, Lloyd Jones.
In 1874, the League won two parliamentary seats.
In 1886 the TUC created the Labour Electoral Association to replace the League, which in turn lead to the creation of the Labour Party.

Secretaries