Ramsay MacDonald (1866–1937,) fully James Ramsay MacDonald, was a British Labour political leader who served as prime minister 1924, 1929–31, and 1931–35. All through his career, he retained a clear vision of a democratic socialist movement, which would connect middle-class radicalism with working-class voters.
Born in Lossiemouth, Morayshire, Scotland, MacDonald joined the Independent Labour Party in 1894 and was the leader (1911–14, 1922–31) of the Labour Party. A member of the London County Council (1901–04) and Parliament from 1906, he became the leader of the opposition in 1922.
MacDonald became Britain’s first Labour prime minister in 1924. He also headed the second Labour government 1929–31. When the cabinet split over proposed cuts in unemployment benefits, MacDonald led a mostly Conservative coalition “National” government 1931–35. This alliance led to his being ousted from the Labour Party.
A well-known biography is David Marquand’s Ramsay MacDonald (1977.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Ramsay MacDonald
The man who saves time by galloping loses it by missing his way; the shepherd who hurries his flock to get them home spends the night on the mountain looking for the lost; economy does not consist in haste, but in certainty.
—Ramsay MacDonald
Topics: Action
We shall never be able to effect physical disarmament until we have succeeded in effecting moral disarmament.
—Ramsay MacDonald
Topics: Peace
The trade-unionist has the same limitation imposed upon him as the capitalist. He cannot advance his interests at the expense of society.
—Ramsay MacDonald
Topics: Business
We have all taken risks in the making of war. Isn’t it time that we should take risks to secure peace?
—Ramsay MacDonald
Topics: Peace
I would like to see a state of society in which every man and woman preferred the old Scottish Sunday to the modern French one. We should then find solid and eternal foundations of character and self-command.
—Ramsay MacDonald
Topics: Character
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