The Parliamentary Labour Club, later the National Labour Club, was a club for officials of the British Labour Party. It was founded in 1924.
Beatrice Webb had founded the Half Circle Club in 1921, as a social club for the wives of Labour Members of Parliament and trade union leaders.[1] The Labour Party had been previously unsuccessful in establishing any central Labour club, in London; earlier attempts by Arthur Henderson, and Herbert Morrison had failed.[2] Also established by Webb, the Parliamentary Labour Club was opened in May 1924, with donations from Liberal Sir Arthur Acland and wealthy Labour Party members.[2] The Club struggled to attract members; few Labour MPs or trade unionists joined.[3] The Club changed its name to the National Labour Club in 1928.[2] In 1930, Webb wrote about the membership of the Club in her diary, remarking that one could find "short-haired typists from the trade union offices, M.P.s, Cabinet Ministers, all being served in strict order to their coming, and all chatting together indiscriminately".[4]
The following categories of people were eligible for membership, as long as they were individual members of the Labour Party:
People who had rendered distinguished service to the Labour Party could also be elected to membership.
The club had premises at 11 Tufton Street, London.
. Webb. Beatrice. Beatrice Webb. MacKenzie. Norman Ian. Norman Ian MacKenzie. The Diary of Beatrice Webb: "The wheel of life," 1924-1943. 1985. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. 9780860682127. 178–179.