Lloyd George

Lloyd George

1. Policies

   • Economy - Reduction in tax income (due to benefits and falling business), Geddes Axe sees cuts on things like health, left angry as Libs saw LG as doing "Con dirty work". 1921 slump due to foreign buyers finding alternatives during war.
   • Foreign - Working class resented anti-Bolshevik aid (no victory) and Anglo-Russian trade treaty in 1921 for reconcilliation. 1922 Genoa Conference over reprarations USA didn't show, French won't lessen. 1922 Chanak Incident saw Turkey threaten to move into neutral area, solved by Treaty of Lausanne yet Con's appalled as LG did not discuss with Commonwealth PM's chance of war.
   • Domestic - IRA terrorise police and although divide made, Libs disliked Black and Tans use and Cons disliked broken union. Demobilisation "first in, first out" saw success after difficulties yet inflation leads to strikes. Did however extend 1911 National Insurance Act in 1920 to all earning less than £250 but could not cope so just for 2 16 week periods in a year. Did not however solve root problem.
   • -Industry - Engineer strikes in Clydeside in early 1919 and miner's leads to government control and Sankey Commission. SC could not agree over private or gov control so more strikes in 1921, so mines/rail go back private. Triple Alliance strike threats but railway and transport pull out, with miners continuing for 3 months but accepted reduced wages eventually.

2. Statistics

   • Con's 322 votes, Libs 133 and Asquith 28 seats . Geddes Policy saved £64M. 73 Sinn Fein MP's did not take up places. 4M demobbed by Autumn 1919. 2000 strikes between 1919-20. Miner's 6 up to 7 hour day. 1921 sees 2M unemployed. 1922 election sees Libs down to 62 seats.

3. Debate

   • Morgan - Though not a solution to the Irish issue, LG did buy over 50 years of peace.
   • Cowling - Baldwin and MacDonald entered a loose agreement to keep LG out of government.