Neither Power Nor Glory

From its origins in the mid-19th century to the calamitous split of the 1950s, this authoritative account chronicles the struggles of political Labor in Victoria, Australia. Ensnared by the colonyÍs powerful liberal protectionist tradition in the late 19th century, Victorian Labor found itself hindered by a grossly unfair electoral system and the lack of a constituency outside MelbourneÍs industrial suburbs. But, exile from government also meant that the party developed its own distinctive traditions and culture. It was a unique and intriguing species among the state Labor parties. Meticulously researched and elegantly written, this book fills an important gap in Australian political history and our understanding of the Labor Party. It is also a timely antidote to nostalgia about LaborÍs past.