Constitutional Crisis of 1910-12

Question 1

When did the Liberals return to gov? Majority?

Answer 1

1906, 400 MPs.

Question 2

How many votes did they win by? Why did the Unionists lose?

Answer 2

=> 300,000
=> Electorate supported free trade and sectional interests. Nonconformists offended by licensing, education and ‘Chinese Coolies.’

Question 3

Legislative reforms by HCB? Successes and failures?

Answer 3

=> Trades Dispute Act 1906: Reversed Taff Vale.
=> Parliamentary vandalism over licensing and education.

Question 4

Aims of Asquith’s budget?

Answer 4

=> Aimed to circumvent the veto, convention had not been touched in 500 years. Usage of taxes in the budget.

Question 5

Political and economic conditions on electoral success?

Answer 5

=> Seemed unlikely.
=> Political: Electoral defeat seemed likely, Lib-Lab falling apart, each though that they were being exploited by the other.
Non-conformists opinion became disillusioned and felt gov weren’t doing enough.
=> Economic: Electoral defeat seemed likely - Depression in 1902, felt in 1908, real wage decline by 10%.

Question 6

What did DLG’s budget include? How much would need to be raised?

Answer 6

=> Raised for significant modern reform e.g National Insurance over unemployed and sickness, pensions.
=> Raised for 4 dreadnaughts for arms race w/ Germany.
=> Would cost £16m deficit in gov revenue.

Question 7

Direct and indirect taxation of DLG’s budget

Answer 7

Direct:
=> Income tax on those earning £3,000+
=> Super tax for those earning £5,000+

Indirect:
=> On luxury goods: Cars and petrol
=> On beer and tobacco.
=> 20% tax on undeveloped land whose value had increased.

Question 8

Who bore the burden of the budget?

Answer 8

=> W/C bore a disproportionate burden on indirect tax e.g alcohol.
=> M/C were left unaffected.
=> U/C were taxed if they earned enough.

Question 9

Where did DLG make his speeches? Why were they controversial?

Answer 9

=> Limehouse and Newcastle.
=> Seen as inflammatory as implied class conflict.

Question 10

Pressure groups campaigning over the budget?

Answer 10

=> Budget League campaigned for it.
=> Budget Protest League campaigned against it.

Question 11

When did the Lords veto the budget?

Answer 11

=> 30 November 1909.

Question 12

Constitutional Implications of veto?

Answer 12

=> Challenged principle of no taxation w/o representation, taking financial power from the elected chamber.
=> Were unelected and unaccountable to none.

Question 13

Unionist justification for Lords’ veto?

Answer 13

=> Argued the gov lack a mandate for the budget.
=> Saw it as a socialism.

Question 14

Consequences for Ireland and IPP?

Answer 14

=> To gain support of IPP, Asquith publicly committed a newly elected government to introducing IHR.

Question 15

Results of January 1910 election?

Answer 15

=> Liberals: 275
=> Unionists: 273

Question 16

What was the ultimate and drastic solution to the Lords’ veto and why was it not used?

Answer 16

=> Would create 100s of new Liberal Peers.
=> Edward had been reluctant to do so. Would be insensitive to ask King George after Edward’s death.

Question 17

Attempts to resolve the constitutional crisis?

Answer 17

=> January 1910 election.
=> Collapsed talks with Unionists.

Question 18

Majority in HOL for Parliament bill? Hard-line opponents?

Answer 18

=> Passed with a slim majority of 17.

Question 19

December 1910 election?

Answer 19

=> Little difference to January, formed 3rd government with mandate for Parliament bill.