Fabian years: 1900–1913 George Bernard Shaw

shaw in 1914 aged 57

in 1899, when boer war began, shaw wished fabians take neutral stance on deemed, home rule, non-socialist issue. others, including future labour prime minister ramsay macdonald, wanted unequivocal opposition, , resigned society when followed shaw. in fabians war manifesto, fabianism , empire (1900), shaw declared until federation of world becomes accomplished fact must accept responsible imperial federations available substitute .

as new century began, shaw became increasingly disillusioned limited impact of fabians on national politics. thus, although nominated fabian delegate, did not attend london conference @ memorial hall, farringdon street in february 1900, created labour representation committee—precursor of modern labour party. 1903, when term borough councillor expired, had lost earlier enthusiasm, writing: after 6 years of borough councilling convinced borough councils should abolished . nevertheless, in 1904 stood in london county council elections. after eccentric campaign, holroyd characterises [making] absolutely of not getting in , duly defeated. shaw s final foray electoral politics. nationally, 1906 general election produced huge liberal majority , intake of 29 labour members. shaw viewed outcome scepticism; had low opinion of new prime minister, sir henry campbell-bannerman, , saw labour members inconsequential: apologise universe connection such body .

in years after 1906 election, shaw felt fabians needed fresh leadership, , saw in form of fellow-writer h. g. wells, had joined society in february 1903. wells s ideas reform—particularly proposals closer cooperation independent labour party—placed him @ odds society s old gang , led shaw. according cole, wells had minimal capacity putting [his ideas] across in public meetings against shaw s trained , practised virtuosity . in shaw s view, old gang did not extinguish mr wells, annihilated himself . wells resigned society in september 1908; shaw remained member, left executive in april 1911. later wondered whether old gang should have given way wells years earlier: god knows whether society had not better have done . although less active—he blamed advancing years—shaw remained fabian.

in 1912 shaw invested £1,000 one-fifth share in webbs new publishing venture, socialist weekly magazine called new statesman, appeared in april 1913. became founding director, publicist, , in due course contributor, anonymously. @ odds magazine s editor, clifford sharp, 1916 rejecting contributions— paper in world refuses print me , according shaw.