Liberal Party 1906-14

Question 1

Reasons for landslide Liberal victory in 1906

Answer 1

• Conservative division over tariff reform / free trade
• Trade unions’ concern over conservative failure to pass legislation to protect workers right to strike (especially after Taff Vale case 1901)
• Non-conformist upset over 1902 Education Act and 1904 Licensing Act
• Chinese slavery issue in South Africa (50,000 laboureres)
• Revelations about atrocities in Boer war + nationalsim that led to it
• Liberals agree to be united under Campbell-Bannerman
• Newer dynamic leaders
• Ideas of New Liberalism

Question 2

What were the seats in the 1906 election?

Answer 2

377 Liberal
157 Conservative
57 Labour
note that in 1906 all the numbers of seats end with 7

Question 3

How many Liberal reforms were rejected by the Lords between 1906 and 1908

Answer 3

10

Question 4

What was abnormal that happened in 1909 that the Lords did?

Answer 4

They rejected the Budget- this was not conventional at all

Question 5

What was different in the House of Lords before 1911?

Answer 5

• All members were hereditary peers- therefore there was a question of legitimacy
• Prime Minister of commons could also serve in Lords
• Majority party in lords (conservative)
• Legislation could be introduced from within the Lords

Question 6

Who introduced the 1909 budget

Answer 6

David Lloyd-George

Question 7

What policies did the 1909 budget include?

Answer 7

1. Death duties (increased inheritance tax)
2. Supertax for incomes over £5000 a year
3. Increase in income tax
4. Duties on liquor licenses
5. Tax on motor vehicles
6. New land + tax valuation

Question 8

Who was angered by the 1909 budget

Answer 8

1. Lords were angered by the inclusion of land valuation bill within the budget- had it been seperate it would not have passed through the Lords
2. Irish Party didn’t like the duties on liquor licenses as this meant that their main export (beer) would be damaged by the tax
3. Richer in society would be most effected (income tax, super tax, vehicle tax)

Question 9

What bill was passed as a result of the constitutional crisis and what was the effect of it?

Answer 9

1911 Parliament Bill

• House of Lords couldn’t reject any finance bills
• Bills passed through the commons 3 consecutive times could then bypass the Lords
• Maximum term of a government 5-7 years

Question 10

What bill passed as a result of the 1911 Parliament Bill

Answer 10

1912 Home Rule Bill