Speaking for the People

• Preface; Abbreviations; Introduction; Part I. Rethinking Popular Politics: 1. From the rise of 'demos' to the rise of 'class'; 2. Working-class homogeneity reconsidered; 3. Relocating popular politics; Part II. A Local Study: Wolverhampton, c.1860–1914: 4. Liberal hegemony and its critics; 5. Popular Toryism and the origins of Labour politics; 6. Labour and the working class, 1890–1914; Part III. Party Games, 1885–1914: 7. Popular politics and the limitations of party; 8. The fall and the rise of popular Liberalism, 1886–1906; 9. Labour roots, Labour voices, Labour myths; Conclusion; Bibliography.

'This is a bold, intelligent, and highly readable book. Lawrence tilts at three central conventions of his period: the rise of class politics, the triumph of party and 'modernization' … this important contribution, rich in ideas, deserves to be widely read … Lawrence successfully weaves these disparate strands into a coherent and challenging thesis. In opening up several new fronts in the study of pre-1914 urban politics, this book demonstrates the continued vitality of a well-worn theme.' Economic History Review