The Changing of the Praetorian Guard? The Size, Structure and Composition of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee and the Enduring Importance of Labour's Trade Unions

Abstract This article investigates the history of Labour Party's National Executive Committee. It argues that party's trade unions, outside a brief period left‐wing NEC control between 1972 and 1981, formed Praetorian Guard at around party leader from Labour's foundation until 1997, have continued to serve in an enlarged since then. From 1900–97, unions maintained effective over half NEC's seats. Although widespread changes 1997 shifted into minority on Committee, they guard leader. However, following election Jeremy Corbyn 2015, factional disputes led breakdown during heated battles for NEC. Since this period, it is argued, leaders built new guards which continue serve, but also include soldiers across labour movement.