1922 Labour Party leadership election (UK)

The 1922 Labour Party leadership election in the United Kingdom was held following the resignation of J.R. Clynes as Leader of the Labour Party. Clynes had led the party since 1921, but his leadership was seen by some as too cautious and lacking in vision, particularly following the party's relatively poor performance in the 1922 general election where, although Labour gained seats, they did not achieve a breakthrough.

The main candidates were Clynes, standing for re-election, and Ramsay MacDonald. MacDonald, a former leader of the party before and during the First World War, had been kept out of Parliament for several years due to his pacifist views. His return to the House of Commons in 1922 revitalized his leadership ambitions.

The election took place by a ballot of Labour Members of Parliament. Ramsay MacDonald defeated J.R. Clynes, winning a significant majority. The victory marked a turning point for the Labour Party, solidifying MacDonald's position as the dominant figure and paving the way for Labour's first government in 1924. The result reflected a desire within the party for a more radical and assertive leadership. MacDonald's leadership marked a shift toward a more prominent role for Labour in British politics.