1906 Election

1906 Election

1. Boer War

   • Concentration camps were used against the Dutch Boers leading to 28,000 deaths
   • Highlighted poor national efficiency
     • Only 30% volunteers fit for service
       • Due to malnutrition as children
   • Voted against the conservatives due to the immoral methods used against the Boers
   • Lost votes from people who were embarrassed by the length of the war
   • Caused split amongst Liberals

2. Balfour's Premiership

   • Became PM due to Nepotism (Nephew of Lord Sailsbury)
   • Too intelligent & philosophical
   • Aloof- Upper class with no links to the working class
     • Alienated the working class, directing them to Liberal
   • Couldn't sell his good ideas E.g. Education & Licensing Act
     • Could have won the Conservatives votes
   • Indecisive- Free trade or taxes?
     • Voters became unsure so voted Liberal

3. Tariff Reform

   • Conservatives held an imperial preference (to develop the empire)
     • Economic competition with USA & Germany
   • Taxes on non-empire imports
     • 60% food imported resulting in increased prices
       • Working class voted for free trade (Liberal)
     • Untied Liberals but split the conservatives
     • Farmers & manufactures voted conservative
   • Balfour was indecisive
     • People voted against the conservatives due to not knowing their polices
   • Joseph Chamberlain wanted to use money from taxes to develop social reforms
     • If promoted correctly could have won votes

4. 1902 Education Act

   • Passed by Unionist Govt.
     • Increase National Efficiency
   • Abolished old school boards. LEAs became responsible for elementary & secondary education.
     • 1905- 94,000 1914- 200,000
   • Non-Conformists voted Liberal to prevent strengthening of Anglican Church
   • Showed Balfour was insensitive to public perception
   • State now paid teachers. Church provided buildings.
     • State supporting religious groups
   • Allowed Liberals to heal the split that had occurred as a result of the Boer War

5. 1904 Licensing Act

   • Reduced the number of public houses
   • Gave compensation
     • Non-conformists voted Liberal. Alcohol causes social evils such as poverty & domestic violence so should not be compensated.

6. Chinese Slavery

   • Men were brought over from China to help rebuild South Africa's Economy
   • Were treated like slaves - had to pay for transport to South Africa & then lived in poor conditions
     • Although not Balfour's idea portrayed Conservatives supporting slavery
       • Workers voted Labour to protect themselves
     • People voted Liberal for moral & religious reasons

7. Taff Vale Case

   • 1. Rail way company wanted to reduce wages 2. Workers go on strike. 3.Company sues the trade union for £23,000 of lost profits 4. Judge forces trade union to pay.
     • Trade unions can't strike/ fear striking
     • Reduces protection of workers
       • Workers vote Liberal due to Conservatives failing to pass a law to protect them

8. Modern Election Techniques

   • Liberal propaganda proved effective.
     • Poster used to demonstrate policies
       • Big Loaf, Little Loaf Campaign (Tariff Reform)
     • Canvassing

9. LIb Lab Pact 1903

   • Secret pact. Labour & Liberals agreed to not have candidates stand for seats where one had a better chance of winning.
   • Allowed Liberals to win marginal seats
   • Labour gained seats
     • 1900-2 Seats 1906-29 Seats

10. 1905 Aliens Act

    • Followed a 1903 Royal Commission on Alien Immigration
      • As a result of 200,000 Eastern European Jewish refugees who came during the 1890s
    • Immigraants had to arrive at designated ports. Pay £5 and £2 for their dependents. Be examined and demonstrate they could earn a living.
    • Lost Conservatives votes from ethnic minorites