Previously the position had been simply the "Chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party".

The election took place when the incumbent chairman J. R. Clynes was challenged by the former leader Ramsay MacDonald.

[clarification needed] Ramsay MacDonald was elected in a single ballot of Labour MPs on 14 December.

Following the election Clynes was given the newly created office of deputy leader of the Labour Party.

In 1932, George Lansbury became leader unopposed, as one of the few experienced Labour MPs left in Parliament, but trades union opposition to his pacifism led to his resignation in 1935 and replacement by his deputy Clement Attlee.