The Constitutional Crisis

Question 1

What was the first constitutional crisis (1909-1910)

Answer 1

The People Budget angered the Conservatives who feared redistributive taxation which they saw as an attack on the rich. The Lords vetoed the Budget in November 1909. The Lords should not have interfered with a financial budget. The Liberals were forced to call a general election.

Question 2

What happened in the 1910 General Election?

Answer 2

The Liberals fought the election on whether the country should be governed by an elected majority or the non-elected peers. ‘The Peer vs the People’. The Liberals won with a majority of two, so relied on the Irish Nationalist support, in return for Home Rule. The Lords agreed the pass the Budget.

Question 3

What was the second constitutional crisis (1910-1911)

Answer 3

In 1910 the Liberals drew up a Bill to curb the powers of the Lords. The 1910 Parliament Bill proposed:
- the HL couldn’t amend or reject financial bills
- the HL could only delay legislation for 2 years but not veto
- only 5 years between General elections
The Constitutional conference was held June-November 1910. The Conservatives proposed a reformation of the composition of the Lords, but the Liberals wanted its powers reducing. George V promised to make more Liberal peers of Liberal won a general election on the issue.

Question 4

What happened in the second General Election 1910?

Answer 4

Liberal won, but needed Labour and Irish Nationalist support. In May 1911 the bill passed in the commons and in August the Lords. But the Lords were split.

Question 5

What was the impact of the crisis?

Answer 5

The Lords could only delay legislation. The Liberals could move forward with their programme reform Balfour resigned. Britain became more democratic.