The new party's survival is far from certain. Although it has managed to gain 29 seats in only six years, as the fourth largest party in Parliament it has little influence.

Galvanised by new restrictions to unions' rights to fund political parties, Labour's opponents make the case for the political representation of the workers at least as effectively as the party itself.

The steady success the party enjoys in Parliament is partly a result of a secret pact between Labour chief Ramsay MacDonald and Liberal whip Herbert Gladstone not to split the vote in key seats. But despite its successes Labour has virtually no support outside mining areas, northern England, Wales and London.

So far the party's progress is steady. But as Europe hurtles towards war in the summer of 1914, Labour's fortunes are about to change.