Saturday 5th October 2024
2.30pm – 4.00pm – Keighley Local Studies Library

Alex Clifford and panel guests: Professor Keith Laybourn, Professor Andrew Thorpe and Will Barber – Taylor will take a look at the life of Britain’s first Labour Chancellor.

Philip Snowden was Chancellor of the Exchequer in the first two Labour governments of Great Britain in 1924 and1929. He was a fine orator, apparently second only to Keir Hardie and toured the country making speeches for the Independent Labour Party. He served on Keighley Town Council in 1899 and Keighley’s School Board.

Philip Snowden’s autobiography Britain’s Iron Chancellor was recently released to commemorate the centenary of the first Labour Government. Teacher & historian Alexander Clifford, author of several works on the period and editor of this new edition will be with us to discuss Philp Snowden’s life and achievements.  Alexander will be joined by a panel of expert guests.

Professor Andrew Thorpe – historian of 20th century British political history, Dean of the faculty of Arts, Humanities & Cultures at the University of Leeds, author of The History of the British Labour Party.

Professor Keith Laybourn – president of the Society for the Study of Labour History, emeritus professor of History at the University of Huddersfield, author of the leading biography of Philip Snowden.

Will Barber-Taylor – Deputy Director of the Centre Think Tank, Chair of the Yorkshire Young Fabians, freelance political writer, serial podcaster & currently producing a new documentary on Snowden.

Keighley Local Studies houses the original extensive Snowden Library donated by Lady Ethel Snowden. Subjects include the Independent Labour Party, politics at the turn of the 20th century and works of social and economic history, literature and the arts, reflecting the interests of both Lord and Lady Snowden.