1a - Political landscape Flashcards
How did the liberal party decline in interwar politics?
In the 1910 general election, liberal party retained power and formed a government.
In 1915, they had strong representation in the coalition government.
During the war, the liberal party split, with some following DLG and forming a coalition with the conservatives.
the Liberal party then lost most of the following elections - labour became the main oppositions to the conservatives.
The liberal party supported the minority labour government.
DORA?
Defence of the Realm act - gave the government the power to ration, control economies and start conscription to avoid defeat in the war.
ROPA?
Representation of the People act - extended the electorate (who can vote) by 13 million people including working class and some women.
How did ROPA damage the Liberal Party?
ROPA meant more people could vote, however 80% of the extended electorate was the working class who voted for Labour, taking votes away from the Liberals.
What was the 1918 “coupon election”?
Many liberals saw DORA as illiberal and disagreed with it, so the party split; the Liberal party ran in the election along-side DLG’s Liberal coalition government with the conservatives, and any candidate that ran for the coalition was given a “coupon” which said they were running for the coalition.
Why was DLG conduct bad for the Liberal Party?
The Knighthood selling scandal in 1922 damaged his credibility.
He was seen as a War-monger after threatening Turkey in the Chanak Incident.
This led to the conservatives leaving the coalition and forcing DLG to resign.
How did the Labour Party develop in interwar politics?
In the 1922 general election, the labour party began gaining seats in parliament (142 seats), Then in 1923, they won 191 seats and formed a minority government with the support of 158 liberals.
In 1924, conservatives won the general election with a majority because Labour was tainted with accusations of Soviet sympathies.
Labour then won 287 seats in the 1929 election and forms a minority government until 1931 when they lost most of their leading politicians.
