Clause IV

Clause IV, historically, refers to a specific clause within the constitution of the British Labour Party. Adopted in 1918, it outlined the party's commitment to public ownership. Specifically, it stated that one of the Labour Party's objectives was:

"To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service."

For much of the 20th century, Clause IV served as a defining principle of the Labour Party, representing its socialist ideals. It was a source of both strength and controversy, uniting the left of the party while alienating some centrist voters.

In 1995, under the leadership of Tony Blair, Clause IV was rewritten and replaced with a new statement of aims and values. The new clause emphasized a commitment to a dynamic market economy, the public interest, and social justice. This change was a significant symbolic and substantive shift in the Labour Party's ideology, marking a move away from traditional socialism and towards a more centrist, "New Labour" platform. The revision was intended to modernize the party's image and make it more appealing to a wider electorate. The debate surrounding Clause IV and its eventual revision remains a significant event in the history of British politics and the Labour Party.