Liberal Decline 1918-31

Liberal Decline 1918-31

1. WW1

   • Essentially split Asquith and Lloyd George, first over issues of Asquith not running the government well and LG taking over, and then the Maurice Debate where despite a vote of confidence in LG’s government (over General Maurice bringing up lack of troops), 72 Libs supported LG and 98 Asquith and they would oppose each other in the coupon election. It allowed Labour to focus on creating their own socialist party programme, after Henderson left the government for not being allowed to go to a Stockholm conference about peace. It further solidified the Conservatives who not only had not Liberal opponent but much of the Liberal ideas had been challenged (freedom and total control). LG also realised much of his popularity was patriotic and the coupon election only allowed him temporarily to avoid Con opponents, yet his attempts at a “centre party” failed (had a chance as fear of communism), further splitting Libs over an anti-socialist grouping.

2. Issues

   • First the number of candidates it could field e.g in 1924 election it could only afford to run 346 candidates (Labour had trade union money). More voters meant local organisation was even more important yet compared to Labour the Libs was poor. Many activists and organisers drifted into other parties. Lab and Con voters were more geographically concentrated (suburbs and industrial areas which aided in the first-past-the-post system). Libs were less at ease with influence of TUs and 21M could now vote.

3. Leadership

   • LG took a heavy-handed attitude against Labour unrest in the 1920 miner strikes which led to an attitude that Liberals did not care about the working while as Ball says Con’s had huge upper class backing (with parties and social structure). On issues with Irish policy and unemployment lack of Asquith’s leadership allowed Lab to take a stand here. LG sale of honours and general image (goat-footed bard) led to Baldwin's withdrawal of coalition in 1922 (scared he would split party also). 1922 saw 62 seats In 1923 there was a chance of revival o LG allowing Asquith to unite against Baldwin over his protectionism (LG supporters lacked a national constituency organisation). Won 158 seats. Yet divisions occured again with Asquith wanting to act passive nand wait for the inexperienced Labour to fail and be influenced while LG wanted to form an anti-socialist coalition. Yet LG needed a party machine as a base and Asquith needed the LG Fund.
   • LG however only have £50,000 in 1924 (£160,000 in 1923) and went back down to 40 MP’s. LG tried devising new policies (Land in the Nation 1925 advocated state purchase of land). Again more infighting (too socialist) and criticism of LG funding these himself . 1926 = Some compromise over LG fund for 3 years in return for land policy and Asquith stroke put LG in full control of party by 1927 with some reorganisation. Britain’s Industrial Future (the Yellow Book) was published in 1928, suggesting £200M for government loans to public works and expert staff to advise gov on economy. Then the Orange Book in 1929 = more solid proposals and combined with Keynes “Can LG do it?” = centerpiece of the 1929 campaign. Hopes were high (won some rural Con seats in by-elections after GS). Yet only got 59 seats. Workers saw them as squabbling over 20’s more than caring about problems. Yellow Book showed reluctance to side with trade unions (was theoretical and technicasl with little appeal)
   • In 1929 gained 5.3M votes but 59 seats. In 1931 could have had chance with Lab split over national coalition but Libs split into 3 groups (nat libs, LG libs, and anti-nat libs, with largest only getting 35 seats).

4. Debate

   • Pelling - Greater concentration of industry and rising living prices led to many turning to Labour.
   • Cook - Mistake of Asquith after 1923 let Labour form gov withjout any understandings or conditions. This allowed Mac to destroy them as a rival party and Baldwin to ecnourage them to support Labour as many right-wing Libs turned to the Cons.
   • Cook - After 1924 Libs said nothing that was not already said by Con or Lab.
   • Wilson - Strains of total war and clash led to decline, which was further exploited by Labour.