2) Reform Of The House Of Lords

Question 1

Why did Asquith not want to give the impression that the Liberals and the IPP had completed a “secret deal” over reform and Home Rule ?

Answer 1

Both Asquith and the IPP leaders realised that a promise to reduce the veto powers of the Lords was dependent on the King giving the Liberal government a guarantee that he was prepared to intervene, if necessary, to ensure that the Lords accepted its reduce status. However, such a deal with the nationalist leaders would leave the government open to accusation that they were engaged in an underhanded deal

Question 2

Was the Conservative party convinced that a deal had been done ?

Answer 2

Yes. When Asquith informed the House of Commons in March 1910 of the governments’ intentions, Balfour and the other conservatives immediately concluded that the Irish nationalists were dictating policy to the government and that liberals had entered into a ‘corrupt bargain’ with the Irish

Question 3

Use contemporary evidence that a deal had not been made

Answer 3

On 13th April 1910, Asquith wrote to the King, stating that “to purchase the Irish vote by such a concession would be a discreditable transaction, which they could not defend”

Question 4

Why in April 1910 did the IPP support the Liberal budget ?

Answer 4

The Irish MPS shelved their opposition to the budget once Asquith had informed parliament about the steps the Liberal government would take if the Lords rejected the veto resolutions

Question 5

Did the Liberal party need IPP votes to stay in power ?

Answer 5

Conservatives claimed that Asquith was dependent on the Irish party to sustain his government, however they overlooked the fact that 40 Labour MPs consistently supported the government and thus gave the Liberals a comfortable majority, even if all 82 Irish Nationalists abstained

Question 6

Did the Liberal or Conservative election campaign include reference to HR?

Answer 6

Few of Asquiths colleagues made any reference to HR and conservatives largely ignored the Irish question

Question 7

Outcome of the December 1910 election?

Answer 7

Liberals and conservatives now both held 272 seats, while the IPP had 84 and Labour 42 (third disappointing general election for the conservatives)

Question 8

Why did the result strengthen the liberals but weaken the conservatives ?

Answer 8

They had made gains in some areas but these had been outweighed by losses everywhere, as more than 50 seats changed hands between them and the liberals

Question 9

When did Asquith introduce the 1911 Parliament Bill?

Answer 9

21st February 1911

Question 10

What were the terms of the Parliament Bill 1911? (3)

Answer 10

• the Lords wouldn’t be able to reject or amend any Money Bill
• if any other type of Bill is rejected by the Lords it would automatically become law, providing not less than two years elapsed between its introduction and third reading in the Commons
• that the maximum duration of Parliament should be cut from seven to five years

Question 11

How did Asquith hope to get the House of Lords to vote in favour of the bill ?

Answer 11

He requested that the King agree to creating extra Liberal peers of the Lords finally voted against the bill

Question 12

Who were the “hedgers” and “ditchers” ?

Answer 12

• Those who were not prepared to vote against the Parliament Bill in the Lords and risk the creation of a huge number of Liberal peers were named “hedgers”
• the “ditchers” were those who would fight the bill ‘to the last ditch’ whatever the consequences

Question 13

Outcome of the debate on the Parliament Bill, August 1911? (2)

Answer 13

• When the vote was taken, the hedgers, led by Lansdowne, abstained and the bill was passed by 131 to 114.
• The ditchers, led by Lord Halsbury, were furious at the decision of a group of over 30 Conservative peers (the ‘rats’ led by Lord Curzon) who voted with the government to ensure the necessary majority

Question 14

What impact did events of 1909-1911 have on the liberals ?

Answer 14

The liberals were looking confident and assured, following a clear strategy which they had put into practise with ruthless efficiency

Question 15

What impacts did events of 1909-1911 have on the Conservative party (2)

Answer 15

• The Conservative party, now out of office, and still reeling from its third successive general election defeat, was more divided than ever
• the bitterness between the two main parties had reached new heights