The British Labour Party & the Irish Free State, 1918-1924

Luton Irish Forum hosted the return of its popular Cultural Seminars with an address and book launch by the well-known lecturer and historian Dr Ivan Gibbons. 

This book is the first dedicated to the subject of the British Labour Party and Ireland during the current decade of centenaries.  It makes as a significant contribution to both Labour and Anglo-Irish research, covering the period immediately after the First World War, when both the British Labour Party and Irish Nationalism were in a state of transition.  It examines the rapidly evolving relationship between the British Labour Party and the emerging Irish nationalist forces, from which was formed the first government of the Irish Free State as both metamorphosed from opposition towards becoming the governments of their respective states. 

Tom Scanlon, Chair of Luton Irish Forum said ‘Ivan’s book is a timely addition and insight into the relationships between the peoples of those Islands and a welcome addition to our shared history.  We are very grateful to him for giving us another memorable night of discussion and recollection.’