The 'coupon election' of 1918, the Lloyd George coalition and Bonar Law

Question 1

What did Lloyd George do every morning and why?

Answer 1

He discussed his ideas with Bonar Law as he knew that once he had Bonar Law’s approval he would be able to get them through the cabinet and Commons

Question 2

Who did Bonar Law act as the mediator between?

Answer 2

Lloyd George and the backbenchers

Question 3

What role did Bonar Law have and from when?

Answer 3

Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1916-1918

Question 4

In 1917 how much did Bonar Law raise and how?

Answer 4

£600 million via a war loan campaign

Question 5

How did Bonar Law make significant savings?

Answer 5

By setting interest rates at 5% rather than 6%

Question 6

Where was Lloyd George very popular?

Answer 6

The countryside

Question 7

Why did Lloyd George have no choice but to continue to rely on the Conservatives?

Answer 7

Most of the Liberal funds and its organisation in the constituencies was under Asquith

Question 8

What did the people who supported the coalition in the election get and what was it nicknamed?

Answer 8

A certificate signed by Lloyd George and Asquith- the coupon election

Question 9

By the time of the election what extended the vote to a wider section of society than before?

Answer 9

Representation of the People Act- February 1918

Question 10

How many seats did the Conservatives win in the 1918 election, and with what share of the vote?

Answer 10

344 seats

38.5%

Question 11

How many seats did the Liberal party win in the 1918 election, and with what share of the vote?

Answer 11

62 seats

18.9%

Question 12

How many seats did the Labour party win in the 1918 election, and with what share of the vote?

Answer 12

142 seats

29.7%

Question 13

How many seats did the National Liberal party win in the 1918 election, and with what share of the vote?

Answer 13

53 seats

9.9%

Question 14

When was the General election?

Answer 14

December 1918

Question 15

What were the reasons for the Conservatives’ success in the general election? (2)

Answer 15

• Conservatives had consistently and wholeheartedly supported the war and this won them substantial support from servicemen and their families
• In 1918, constituencies had been reshaped to communicate the population growth and much of that growth had taken place in the south of England in the Conservative voting areas