First MacDonald ministry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids First MacDonald ministry
January–November 1924
Ramsey MacDonald
Date formed	22 January 1924 (1924-01-22)
Date dissolved	4 November 1924 (1924-11-04)
People and organisations
Monarch	George V
Prime Minister	Ramsay MacDonald
Total no. of members	58 appointments
Member party	Labour Party
Status in legislature	Minority dependent on Liberal support 191 / 615 (31%)
Opposition party	Conservative Party
Opposition leaders	Stanley Baldwin in the House of Commons Lord Curzon of Kedleston in the House of Lords
History
Election(s)	1923 general election
Outgoing election	1924 general election
Legislature term(s)	33rd UK Parliament lost a vote of confidence
Predecessor	First Baldwin ministry
Successor	Second Baldwin ministry

The first MacDonald ministry was the first time the Labour Party formed a government in the United Kingdom. It lasted for about nine months, from January to November 1924. Ramsay MacDonald became the Prime Minister, even though his party didn't win the most seats in the 1923 general election.

The election resulted in a "hung parliament," meaning no single party had enough seats to form a government on its own. The Conservative Party had the most seats, but the Labour Party and the Liberal Party together had more. The Liberals decided to support Labour, allowing Ramsay MacDonald to become Prime Minister. This was a big moment for the Labour Party, showing they could lead the country.

Meet the Leaders: MacDonald and His Cabinet

Ramsay MacDonald became the first official leader of the Labour Party in 1922. When he became Prime Minister, he also took on the important role of Foreign Secretary. This meant he was in charge of how Britain dealt with other countries.

His team, called the Cabinet, included other important Labour members:

• Arthur Henderson became the Home Secretary, looking after things inside Britain.
• Philip Snowden was the Chancellor of the Exchequer, managing the country's money.
• Other key figures like J. H. Thomas and J. R. Clynes also held important positions.
• The Cabinet was mostly made up of moderate members, including some who had been involved in trade unions.

Making a Difference: Domestic Policies

Even though the Labour government didn't have a clear majority in Parliament, they managed to pass some important laws. Their main goal was to show that the Labour Party was capable of running the country responsibly. They didn't introduce very radical changes, partly because they needed the support of the Liberal Party.

One of their biggest achievements was the 1924 Wheatley Housing Act. This law helped build many new homes for working-class families who struggled to find affordable places to live. It provided money to local councils to build over 500,000 rented homes by 1933.

The government also made life better for people who were struggling:

• Unemployment Benefits: They increased payments for unemployed men, women, and children. They also made it easier for more people to get these benefits and extended how long people could receive them.
• Pensions: Older people received better pensions. The government made changes so that small savings wouldn't reduce their pension payments, helping many elderly people get the full amount.
• Education: They tried to improve schools by allowing local authorities to raise the school-leaving age to 15. They also increased money for adult education and restored scholarships for students. They aimed to reduce class sizes and build new schools.
• Workers' Rights: A law was passed to bring back minimum wages for farm workers, helping them earn a fair living. They also made sure that miners suffering from lung diseases could get compensation.
• Housing Protection: A law was introduced to protect tenants from being unfairly evicted by landlords.
• Public Spaces: They improved parks like St. James' Park and created new playgrounds for children.

Working with Other Countries: Foreign Policy

Many people believe that the MacDonald government's greatest successes were in how they handled international relations. As both Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, MacDonald spent a lot of time on foreign affairs.

After World War I, Germany was supposed to pay "reparations" (payments for war damages). When Germany struggled to pay, France occupied a part of Germany called the Ruhr. MacDonald worked hard to find a solution.

He helped organize the Dawes Conference, which led to the Dawes Plan in August 1924. This plan suggested that Germany needed to become economically stable before it could pay reparations. MacDonald used his strong negotiating skills to convince the French Prime Minister, Édouard Herriot, to agree to this plan. This helped ease tensions between European countries and was a major achievement for the government.

Why the Government Ended

The first Labour government only lasted for nine months. It faced challenges, especially from those who feared the influence of communism.

One key event was the Campbell Case. A Communist writer, John Ross Campbell, was charged for an article. When the government dropped the charges, some people saw it as a sign of Communist influence. The Liberal Party leader, H. H. Asquith, asked for an investigation. MacDonald said that if Parliament voted for the investigation, his government would resign. They did vote for it, so MacDonald stepped down.

Soon after, a fake document known as the Zinoviev letter was published. This letter, supposedly from a Soviet leader, urged British Communists to prepare for a revolution. Even though it was later proven to be a forgery, it caused a lot of fear and hurt the Labour Party's chances in the upcoming election.

Despite its short time in power, the first Labour government proved that the Labour Party could lead the country effectively. This experience helped them gain trust, and they returned to power five years later.

Cabinet Members

Here are some of the main people who were part of Ramsay MacDonald's Cabinet:

• Ramsay MacDonald – Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary
• The Viscount Haldane – Lord Chancellor (chief judge)
• Philip Snowden – Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister)
• Arthur Henderson – Home Secretary (in charge of internal affairs)
• James Henry Thomas – Secretary of State for the Colonies (in charge of British colonies)
• John Wheatley – Minister of Health (in charge of public health)
• Sidney Webb – President of the Board of Trade (in charge of trade and industry)