changes in political landscape Flashcards
what were the factors in the decline of the liberal party
collapse of party unity
representation of the people act
impact of 1918 general election
failure of lloyd george after 1922
defence of the realm act
1914
gave government powers such as
economic controls
rationing
conscription
seen as illiberal by many party members
impact of the representation of the people act
1918
ROPA
expanded the electorate by 13million
working class men and some women could vote
80% of electorate was working class
labor party could adapt to the new electorate
1910-1923 labor popularity increased and liberal popularity declined
“coupon election”
1918
what was the coupon election?
David Lloyd George formed a coalition with the conservitives as he didnt have enough liberal support. those who supported him were issued with a coupon
he won a landslide victory
what was the cash for Honours Scandal?
1922
David Lloyd George sold knighthoods and peerages for cash
events leading to Lloyd Georges resign
1922 general election
->liberals lacked funds to run an effective campaign
-> withdrawal of the Tories from coalition
labour
formed in 1900 youngest party
formed from the labour representation committee of the TUC so closely linked to trade unions
made easier by ROPA as working class could now vote
party for the working class
wartime saw increase in trade union membership -heart of labour support
how did Labour establish independence from the Liberal party?
promoted free trade, social reform and internationalism
drew up a new constitution in 1918 tying it to nationalisation of industries
1923 election they capitalised on the liberal split
factors in conservative dominance
electoral systems
weakness of opposition
effective organisation
image
how did changes in the electoral system help the conservatives?
plural voting ->those who lived in one constituency but had property or attended uni in another could vote in both
redrawing of constituency boundaries -> redrawn the reflect population changes. gave middle class suburbs a greater representation
unfairness of FPTP system ->less votes needed for a tory MP
irish free state -> itish independence
liberals lost support from nationalist mps whereas continued to receive support
how did division in opposition parties help the conservatives?
1931 ->many right wing liberals split and formed national liberals who would merge with conservatives ->more members
labour found it difficult to establish themselves outside of traditional industrial heartlands
1931-> Labour divided over how to handle the economic crisis
the conservative party image
Stanley Baldwin-> “man of the people” ran his steel factories fairly and promoted a good working relationship between employee and employer
factors in the formation of the national government
outcome of the 1929 general election
weakness of labour government
economic problems caused by the depression
Ramsey Macdonald
how did the weakness of the Labour government affect the national government formation?
been in power only once before
had to make harsh economic decisions affecting the poor
dependant on liberal support
lost support and were forced to call an election
what was the significance of the 1931 budget?
labour struggling to meet its spending commitments
Britain needed loans from USA and France however bankers demanded a balanced budget in return
plans to raise taxes and cut spending caused a split in the party
august 24th 1931 labour resigned as the party of government
Macdonald and the national government
king George v and conservative party wanted Macdonald to continue as prime minister
conservatives happy to allow him to continue as PM believing he would take the brunt of any unpopular economic measures
Macdonald announced he would continue as PM and would lead a national government to face the emergency
1931 general election
Macdonald called for a general election he feared it would split the labour party ->some had joined him as part of the national government and the rest formed their own labour party.
liberals also split
outcome was overwhelming win for national government with conservatives winning most of the seats
labour did badly
what challenges did the leaders of the national government face?
economic threats
opposition
rise of extreme politics
foreign policy threats
MacDonald
1931 him and his chancellor Philip snowden go ahead with spending cuts
his health declines and Stanley Baldwin takes over
Stanley Baldwin
1935->plan to appease fascist Italy and Mussolini2/3 of Abyssinia hugely unpopular
NAZI Germany ->some wanted rearmament and others wanted disarmament
1936 abdication crisis-> tells King Edward viii to abdicate the throne so he could marry wallace simpsom. he was praised for this.
chamberlain
attempts to find “peace in our time” hugely popular
1938->flew 3 times to see hitler
once war begins he is forced out of parliment due to a vote of no confidence
churchill
critic of appeasement and an opponent of hittler
set up war cabinet of just 5 people for quicker decisions
creates new ministries
emergency powers act
essential wartime leader
inspirational speeches
emergency powers act
may 1940
gave wide ranging powers to the British government.
