Second Constitutional Crisis

Question 1

The Parliament bill

Answer 1

The House of Lords couldn’t amend or reject bills that the Speaker of the house of commons certified to be true money bills
They could delay legislation for up to 2 years this was a suspensory veto
The maximum period between general elections would be reduced from 7 to 5 years
The Lords will reluctant to pass a bill that would decrease their power

Question 2

Edward VII

Answer 2

He was asked to promise to create enough liberal peers so that they can out vote Conservatives
But he died in May 1910

Question 3

George V

Answer 3

Want to parties agree on a solution without new peers
Conservatives offered reform composition of the Lords but the liberals said no
Conference for this broke down and George agreed to create new peers as long as the liberals won a general election on the issue

Question 4

Conservatives

Answer 4

The rats felt that they should cooperate with the bill
Hedgers were lead by Lord Lonsdowne and were undecided
Ditchers were led by Willoughby de Broke and oppose the bill

Question 5

December 1910 election

Answer 5

Liberals and conservatives both had 272 seats

Liberals had support from labour with 42 seats and Irish Nationalists with 82 seats

Question 6

Factors suggesting the liberals dealt successfully with the constitutional crisis

Answer 6

Old-age pensions
Building of warships
The bill passed
The budget passed
Increase democracy by reducing the power of the Lords
The Conservatives are split over the parliament act Balfour resigned

Question 7

Failures

Answer 7

No new liberal peers were created
No time for social reform
Home rule issue back
Forced to pass third hr bill
Forfeited huge majority in commons
Labour and INP
Unionists couldn't rely on Lords to prevent hr
Forced to pass TU act to maintain Labour support

Question 8

January 1910 election

Answer 8

It was how to save the house of lords should have as much power as House of Commons
Liberals one 275 seats to the Conservatives who won 273
Liberals had to depend on Irish Nationalists with 82 to pass the budget
INP wanted home-rule so they want to weaken the House of Lords
After an election the conservatives showed majority for the budget so the Lords finally agreed to pass it