Crossing the Floor

Originally published in 1972, this book is an account of the events which led Humphry Berkeley to join the Labour Party after seven years a Conservative Member of Parliament and twenty years as a member of the Conservative Party. Starting with his own political origins he shows the consistency of his internationalist and humanitarian philosophy against the background of the issues with which he was most concerned: abroad - Africa, the Commonwealth, the United Nations; at home - immigration, race, social reform. During his political career the author came into close contact with may of the leading figures of British politics and the book devotes chapters to a personal view of Macmillan, Butler, Macleod, Heath and Wilson. The book gives a vivid picture of UK political life in the 20th Century and illustrates the character of each of the 2 main Parties, showing also the conflicts facing a politician fighting to retain both his persona integrity and the means to play a leading role in Party politics.

Humphry Berkeley (1926-1994) was a British politician. He was well-known for his 3 changes of political parties and his early support for gay rights. In 1966, he introduced, and obtained a Second Reading for, the Sexual Offences Bill in the House of Commons. He was a sponsor of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act. He was vice-President of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and Hon. Treasurer of the Howard League for Penal Reform.