Oswald Mosley

Sir Oswald Ernald Mosley, 6th Baronet (November 16, 1896 – December 3, 1980) was a British politician principally known as the founder of the British Union of Fascists. He was also the sixth baronet of a title established in 1720.

Crossing the floor

Mosley was at this time falling out with the Conservatives over the issue of Irish policy, and the use of the Black and Tans to suppress the Irish population. Eventually he 'crossed the floor' and sat as an Independent MP on the opposition side of the House of Commons. Having built up a following in his constituency, he retained it against a Conservative challenge in the general elections of 1922 and 1923. By 1924 he was growing increasingly attracted to the Labour Party, which had just formed a government, and in March he joined. He immediately joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP) as well and allied himself with the left.

Related Topics:
Irish - Black and Tans - Crossed the floor - Opposition - 1922 - 1923 - 1924 - Labour Party - Independent Labour Party

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When the government fell in October, Mosley had to choose a new seat as Harrow would not re-elect him as a Labour candidate. He therefore decided to oppose Neville Chamberlain in his constituency of Birmingham Ladywood. An energetic campaign led to a knife-edge result but Mosley was defeated by 77 votes. His period outside Parliament was used to develop a new economic policy for the ILP, which eventually became known as the 'Birmingham proposals'; they continued to form the basis of Mosley's economics until the end of his political career. In 1926, a Labour seat in Smethwick fell vacant and Mosley returned to Parliament.

Related Topics:
Neville Chamberlain - 1926 - Smethwick

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