Patrick Hastings

Sir Patrick Gardiner Hastings (March 17, 1880 - February 26, 1952) was a noted British barrister who served as Attorney General for England and Wales in 1924 and inadvertently brought down the first Labour government.

Campbell case

On formation of the Labour government in January 1924, Hastings was made Attorney-General and given a knighthood that went with the job. Hastings disliked much of the drudgery of the job, though welcomed the opportunity to go into court as the representative of the government. One of his responsibilities was to bring prosecutions, and in July he agreed a prosecution for sedition of John Ross Campbell, editor of the Daily Worker, who had written an article urging troops not to obey orders to break strikes. The arrest of Campbell caused controversy in the Labour movement where the sentiments expressed in the article were thought unexceptional, and delegations of left-wing MPs went to see Hastings to demand that the prosecution be withdrawn.

Related Topics:
1924 - Attorney-General - Knighthood - Sedition - John Ross Campbell - Daily Worker

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After consulting with other Ministers, Hastings decided that he would withdraw the prosecution. This announcement enraged the Conservatives who put down a motion of no confidence, while the Liberal Party demanded a Select Committee investigation. The government declared either issue a matter of confidence; as the Labour Party had only a minority of MPs, the Conservatives decided to vote for the Liberal amendment which was easily carried. Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald then called a general election, which the Conservatives won.

Related Topics:
Conservatives - Motion of no confidence - Liberal Party - Ramsay Macdonald

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