Period drama series Fame is the Spur tells the story of development of the Labour Party, through the world of three very different men, through to the Spanish Civil War. Beginning in 1877 the serial follows three friends from Manchester all determined to make something of their lives. The three, Tom Hannaway, Arnold Ryerson and John Shawcross take different paths but all make an impact. Tom ends up making his fortune in business whilst Arnold becomes a prominent trade unionist. John (or Hamer as he renames himself) moves up in politics.