The 2nd Constitutional Crisis Flashcards
What was the Parliament Bill of 1911?
The bill deprived the House of Lords of its absolute power to veto legislations;
-The House of Lords were not to interfere with ‘money bills’
-The HoL could only block/veto bills for up to 2 years, after that it would become law
-There was to be 5 years between general elections, instead of 7.
When was the Parliament Bill passed?
August 10th 1911
What happened in April 1910?
The Liberals created the Parliament bill to restrict the power of the HoL.
What happened in May 1910?
Asquith persuaded King George V to threaten to create more Liberal peers in the House of Lords, in order to pass the Parliament Bill.
Why did Asquith threaten to create more Liberal peers in the HoL?
He knew it was the only way they would agree as they were intimidated by the Liberal alliances and saw their dominance within the HoL as a way to stop radical Liberalism. If the House’s powers were reduced, so were theirs.
What happened in December 1910?
Another general election.
What were the results of DEC 1910 election?
Liberals- 272 Conservatives-272 ; Liberals were able to govern with the support of Irish Nationalists and Labour as it gave them majority.
When did the HoC pass the bill?
May 1911
When did the HoL pass the bill?
August 10th 1911
Describe the separation in the HoL over the Parliament Bill?
-Conservatives who wanted to pass it were known as ‘the rats’
-Undecided were led by Lord Lansdowne and known as ‘the hedgers’
-Opposed were led by Lord Willhoughby de Broke and were named ‘the ditchers’
How did the Crisis link to parliamentary sovereignty?
The CC destroyed the traditional doctrine of the unwritten British constitution, that parliament is sovereign, as it was deadlocked during the years of the crisis. It raised the question of what defence the sovereign has against an attempted abuse of power by the House of Lords.
How was Balfour a victim of the crisis?
He stepped down from his position in late 1911 as he paid the penalty for a failed campaign he had never wanted in the first place. He was succeeded by Bonar Law.
What threat the the Irish Nationalists now pose?
Due to the Liberals’ reliance on the Irish Nationalists for their majority, they would have to deal with Home Rule, meaning the government was bound to almost face another constitutional crisis.
Why were the public pleased with the results of the crisis?
The public were unhappy that unelected individuals had such power in elected campaigns.
