The End Of The Constitutional Crises

Question 1

What were the names given in the House of Lords?

Answer 1

• those who felt that the lords should co-operate with the bill were nicknamed the ‘rats’
• those who were undecided were called the ‘hedgers’
• those who were determined to oppose the bills were called ‘ the ditchers’

Question 2

What was the impact of the constitutional crises?

Answer 2

• the lords could now only delay legislation important to commons
• Liberals were now able to move forwards with their legislation programme of reform
• the crises so divided the conservatives that Balfour was forced to resign leadership
• the parliament act helped make the British constitution more democratic