Moderates (Scotland) facts for kids

The Moderates were a political group in Scotland. They were active in the early 1900s. This group focused on local government. They brought together different politicians. These included members of the Unionist Party and Liberal Party. Some independent politicians also joined. They quietly worked together against the Labour Party.

The Moderates were very strong in Glasgow. They controlled the Glasgow city council for a long time. But in the 1933 election, things changed. A new group, the Scottish Protestant League, appeared. This group took some votes away from the Moderates. Because of this, the Labour Party won control of the council. It was the first time Labour had done this.

What Were the Moderates?

The Moderates were a political organization in Scotland. They were active in the early 20th century. Their main goal was to work in local government. They were not a single political party. Instead, they were a mix of different politicians.

How They Worked Together

The Moderates brought together people from various political backgrounds. This included members of the Unionist Party. It also included politicians from the Liberal Party. Some politicians who did not belong to any party, called Independents, also joined. They all agreed to work together. Their main shared goal was to oppose the growing power of the Labour Party in local councils. This quiet cooperation helped them win many elections.

Their Power in Glasgow

For many years, the Moderates were very powerful in Glasgow. They controlled the Glasgow Corporation. This was the name for the city council that ran Glasgow. They made many important decisions for the city. Their control lasted until a key election in 1933.

The 1933 Election and Change

The 1933 election was a big turning point for the Moderates. A new political group became popular. This group was called the Scottish Protestant League. When people voted, some who used to vote Moderate chose the Scottish Protestant League instead. This split the votes that usually went to the Moderates. Because of this, the Labour Party was able to win. They gained control of the Glasgow city council for the very first time.

Becoming the Progressives

After 1933, the Moderates in Glasgow started to change. In 1936, they officially became known as the Progressives. This name change followed a similar move in Edinburgh. Edinburgh had formed its own Progressive party in 1928. Over time, the names "Progressive" and "Moderate" became very similar. However, even as late as 1969, some politicians still ran for local elections specifically as "Moderates." This showed that the original name still had some meaning.

See also

• Progressives