The first Labour Government took office on 22nd January 1924, one hundred years ago. Below is an extract from the manifesto it fought the December 1923 Election on. Its notable for its commitment to equal pay and equal rights but that commitment didnt come from nowhere. It was the product of decades of organising and campaigning in the Women’s Labour League, in the suffragette movement and unions.
The 1924 Government also saw the first woman in a Government position, union official Margaret Bondfield:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Bondfield
The Government was only in office until November 1924 so no substantive progress was made. Later Labour Governments did achieve something, for example the 1970 Equal Pay Act. However 100 years it can hardly be claimed that women have achieved equality in any sphere. Its a reminder that reform can take a very long time to make an impact and a reminder that there are of course other ways of changing the world
Equal rights
Labour stands for equality between men and women: equal political and legal rights, equal rights and privileges in parenthood, equal pay for equal work.
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