Richard Crossman and the welfare state : pioneer of welfare provision and Labour politics in post-war Britain / Stephen Thornton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Thornton, Stephen, 1970- author.

Series:

International library of political studies ; 27.

International library of political studies ; 27

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Crossman, R. H. S. (Richard Howard Stafford), 1907-1974.

Crossman, R. H. S.

Statesmen--Great Britain--Biography.

Statesmen.

Welfare state--Great Britain--History--20th century.

Welfare state.

Great Britain--Politics and government--1945-1964.

Great Britain.

Great Britain--Politics and government--1964-1979.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (220 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York, NY : Tauris Academic Studies, 2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"Generally remembered as a notorious diarist rather than a serious political figure, Richard Crossman's imposing presence in Harold Wilson's Cabinet during the 1964-1970 Labour governments proved, not least to himself, a disappointment. However, in this new reassessment, Stephen Thornton rescues Crossman's political achievements from obscurity. From 1955 to the end of his life in 1974, Crossman was committed to a radical scheme that promised to break Britain free from the existing Beveridge model of welfare provision and transform the social security regime in the UK. Although the scheme as Crossman envisaged it was not directly implemented, his actions did prompt highly significant modifications to both Labour and, more surprisingly, Conservative social security policy. Here Crossman's reputation as a towering figure of the patrician Left is rehabilitated as Thornton argues that in the era of New Labour the lessons Crossman learned from his project of welfare reform are more valuable and relevant than ever. Conclusion: Crossman's legacy."--Bloomsbury publishing.

Contents:

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction: Guide to the book

Chapter 1: Ideas, Individuals, Circumstances, and Interests

Chapter 2: Challenging Beveridge

Chapter 3: The Cunning Plan

Chapter 4: The Rival

Chapter 5: Into the Storm

Chapter 6: A Story Rich in Lessons

Conclusion: Crossman's legacy.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [196]-201) and index.

ISBN:

9786612619335

9780755622542

0755622545

9781282619333

1282619330

9780857716460

0857716468

9781441629067

1441629068

9786000021214

6000021216

OCLC:

710975963