This book examines the rapidly evolving relationship between the British Labour Party and the emerging Irish nationalist forces, from which was formed the first government of the Irish Free State as both metamorphosed from opposition towards becoming the governments of their respective states.
"Gibbons' research makes an important contribution not just to Labour's Irish policy, but to the development of the party from a formative movement in industrial areas to a party capable of governing. ... In this regard it should be held in high esteem amongst the expansive literature on the party. ... Gibbons' book is likely to be recognised as a significant contribution to both Labour and Anglo-Irish studies, field that looks likely to expand in the coming years." (Keith Mcloughlin, Australasian Journal of Irish Studies, bsls.ac.uk, Vol. 17, 2017)