Britain in 1946 witnessed extraordinary episodes of direct action. Tens of thousands of families walked into empty army camps and took them over as places to live. A nationwide 'squatters' movement' was born. It was an extensive popular movement, the first challenge to the 1945 Labour government to come from 'below'. How should Labour's record be assessed? The Attlee governments recorded some significant achievements in post-war social reconstruction: nationalization of key industries, comprehensive national insurance, full employment and a National Health Service. But did Labour miss its opportunity to reconfigure British society in a more progressive direction, when there was a public appetite for change? This is a book about agency. It demonstrates how those most affected by inadequate housing conditions and shortages responded.