Chapter 7- Political developments 1886-1905

Liberal unionists

Group of Liberals, lef by Lord Hartington, who solit from Gladstones party over Home rule.

Why did Salisburys conservatives win a clear majority?

As Gladstone's Home Rule Bill was defeated in 1886

Who did the Conservatives gain support from?

The 79 Liberal Unionist MPs, although there was no coalition between the two parties

What Cabinet did Salisbury gather around him in 1886?

An intellectually indifferent cabinet apart from Winston Churchill

Where was Churchill appointed under Salisbury's government?

Leader of the Commons and Chancellor of the Exchequer, but within months Churchill fell foul of Salisbury and left the government

When was Lord Salisburys 2nd ministry?

1886-92

When was Gladstone's 4th ministry?

1892-94

When was Lord Rosebery (Liberal)?

1894-95

When was Lord Salisburys 3rd ministry?

1895-1902

When was A.J. Balfour in power?

1902-05

What were the election results in the Conservative victory in 1895?

- They won 341 seats
- Liberals 177 seats
- Additional support from the Liberal unionist 70 seats for the Conservatives
- 82 Irish Nationalists were ineffective

How did the alliance between the Conservatives and the Liberal Unionists become more formalised?

With the inclusion of Joseph Chamberlain in the Cabinet

Lord Salisbury

- Sought to uphold traditional institutions such as the monarchy and parliament
- Against change in rapidity changing world, where his aristocratic class was losing control
- Against the extension of democracy but accepted it would happen
- His humour and tolerance contributed to the success of his government

Randolph Churchill

- Came to political prominence in 1880s with outspoken attacks on Gladstone's government and weak members of his Conservative Party
- Supported by three young progressive Conservatives
- Believed in Tory Democracy
- Seen as potential leader but made too many enemies

Joseph Chamberlain

- Moved family business to Birmingham made a personal fortune
- Directed extensive improvement programme of public works
- He was clever, charismatic and talented, but fickle in his political allegiances
- Split Gladstone's Liberal party over Home Rule
- Contributed to the downfall of Balfour's Conservative government in 1905

What was Randolph Churchill's relationship like with Salisbury?

Tense as he was a political rival

Why was an example of the bad relationship between Randolph Churchill and Salisbury?

- Churchill's arrogance and lack of proper consolation with Salisbury and the cabinet became too much
- When Churchill threatened to resign over a funding issue for the war office being rejected, Salisbury allowed him to do so

What were the reasons for Conservative dominance till 1905?

- Divisions in the Liberal Party
- Middle-class support
- Attitudes towards imperialism
- Improved Conservative Party organisation
- Conservative social reform

Why were divisions in the Liberal Party a reason for Conservative dominance?

Split in Liberal party over Home Rule, Liberal Unionist strengthened Conservatives and weakened Liberals

Why was middle-class support a reason for Conservative dominance?

- Middle-class vote gradually moving towards the Conservatives
- 1900, 67 out of 75 London seats were Conservative- known as 'Villa Tories'

Why did attitudes towards imperialism allow for Conservative dominance?

- Liberals had no consensus towards imperialism, yet Conservatives trumpeted it
- Popular sentiment and enthusiasm for imperialism and pride in the nation helped sustain the Conservative vote

How did the improved Conservative Party organisation allow for Conservative dominance?

- Conservative Party organisation came under Richard Middleton, whose advice was of great value to Salisbury
- Increased number of constituency agents and organised them on a regional basis
- He revamped the National Union and made it an effective propaganda tool for the party

How did Conservative social reform allow for Conservative dominance?

Even though Salisbury introduced limited social reform, it was better than the directionless Liberals, who had lost support of middle and working class

Richard Middleton

- Conservative National agent and secretary of the National Union from 1885-1903
- Middleton was sensitive to slightest change in the political mood and climate was a key adviser to Salisbury, particular in elections

Who won the 1900 election?

The Conservatives with a huge majority

Why did the Conservatives win the 1900 election?

Likely due to patriotism from the Boer War, rather than the social reform record

What was the 1900 election nicknamed?

The Khaki election, it reflected the patriotic feelings towards expansion of the empire

In 1902 what did Salisbury do?

Gave up office through ill health and was succeeded as PM by his nephew Balfour

Why was Balfour detached from the common people?

He was politically astute, his wealthy aristocratic upbringing, outlook and cool detached manner

What increased Balfour's aloofness over his aristocratic parliament members?

His intellect and philosophical interests

On what condition did Balfour only believe in parliamentary democracy?

As long as the masses voted for the upper classes

A.J. Balfour

- Uncle Lord Salisbury took an interest in his political career, amid suggestions of nepotism
- Nicknamed Bloody Balfour
- Became first leader of the Commons and First Lord of the Treasury

Nepotism

Showing favour to one's relatives or friends

In 1902 what of Balfour's policies turned the electorate from voting Conservative?

Policy decisions on education and tarrif reform and lack of any real social reform programme

By early 1905 what was it quite clear?

That Balfour's government was likely to face defeat in the next general election

In December 1905 what did Balfour do?

Rather than call a general election he announced the resignation of his party from government

Due to Balfour's resignation what happened?

A Liberal government took over in January 1906 and the Liberals called a general election

By 1886 what were happening to Gladstone's powers?

Declining

Although many thought it was time for change of Gladstone what did many have?

A deep sense of unwavering loyalty to the 'Grand Old Man'

What had Gladstone become convinced about Home Rule?

That it would solve the Irish problem

What did Gladstone's obsession with Ireland lead to?

Neglecting any meaningful social reform programme

Why was Gladstone's focus on Ireland short-sighted?

- As he had extended education (1870) and extend the franchise (1884) to the 'masses'
- With the Labour Party emerging it would severely damage the Liberal party

What were the key divisions in the Liberal party?

- Home Rule and the Liberal Party split
- Divisions over social reform
- Attitudes to imperialism
- Personal tensions

Why had Home Rule and the Liberal party split created divisions?

- Joseph Chamberlain left the party
- Lord Hartington and group of Whigs voted against Home Rule
- These all became Liberal Unionists joining the Conservatives

Why had divisions over social reform created divisions within the Liberal party?

Conflict between older laissez-faire Liberals and radical Liberals such as Joseph Chamberlain, who favoured a stronger social reform programme

Why had attitudes to imperialism caused divisions within the Liberals?

Imperialism was of popular sentiment and a group of Liberals wished for this (Liberal Imperialist's- Lord Rosebery), yet there were also anti-imperialists wising for no further colonialism

Why had personal tensions caused divisions within the Liberal party?

There was a deep seated antipathy between Gladstone and Chamberlain, although brought to the surface in home rule

When did Gladstone resign for the final time?

1894 after his defeated Home Rule bill

Who was Gladstone successor?

Lord Rosebery

What was Lord Rosebery like?

Keen and clever, but inexperienced in the Commons

Why did the Liberals have a crushing defeat in the 1895 election?

They had little incentive towards the working class

Who did the Liberals appoint in 1898?

Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman

- Liberal MP for Stirling for 40 years
- Appointed Liberal leader in 1898 and became PM upon Balfour's resignation in 1905
- Mild-mannered but lacked charisma
- Led a strong, effective government and battled with Lords over social reforms

Who was Bannerman no match for?

Salisbury

When did the Labour movement gain its strength?

Later half of 19th century

What did the Labour movement grow out of?

Enormous political, social and economic changes of the period and from the development of trade unionism

What did the Labour movement signify?

The struggle of working-class people to achieve a common objective of creating a fairer, more just and equal society.

What really strengthen the political status of the working class?

The extension of the franchise in 1884 reform act to unskilled labourers

Socialism

A principle or system in which the means of production of wealth of a country and its distribution are owned and managed by ten state

Who were the new socialist societies formed by?

Middle-class intellectuals

Who was the Fabian society set up by?

Sidney and Beatrice Webb in 1884

What were the prolific socialists writings of the Fabian's designed to do?

Persuade the government to introduce social reform

Fabianism

The belief in the gradual introduction and spread of socialism

What were the Webbs part of?

A socialist movement that recognised a certain kinship between socialism and liberalism, along with Labour leaders such as, Keir Hardie, Ramsay MacDonald and New Liberals such as Charles Trevelyan

What did British socialists not wish to bring about?

Change through violent revolution instead wished to be electorally voted in

What did the Socialists give Labour?

Some basic beliefs when they argued in favour of public ownership of institutions such as industry and transport and working class education

What did Socialists hold?

- Open-air meetings
- Stood and preached outside factory gates to spread the message that workers were entitled to a better life
- Organise strikes for unskilled workers

What did the Socialists ultimately have on the Labour movement and the formation of the Labour Representation Committee (LRC) in 1900?

Limited influence

What did the Liberals or Conservatives not satisfy?

The needs of the working class

What did Gladstone still hold to?

Principles of laissez-faire, self-help and philanthropy and refused to accept Chamberlain's plan for social reform.

What was Salisbury too interested in?

Foreign affairs and had little direct interest in social reform

Where did the Independent Labour Party first emerge?

Bradford in January 1893

Who was the chief instigator of the ILP?

Keir Hardie, a Scottish miners' Union organiser

What had the formation of Scottish Labour Party encouraged others to do?

Working men (usually union leaders) to form local labour groups across the country- mostly in north of England, Midlands and central Scotland

Who became the first independent Labour MPs?

Hardie and John Burns, gaining two seats in a by-election

In 1893 what did Hardie help to form?

A new Socialist group, the Independent Labour Party and was elected chairmen and leader

What was Hardie determined to do?

That the ILP would stand on its own and not be treated as the 'poor relation' of the Liberal Party and be used to keep the Liberal Party in office

What did the ILP demand?

- 8 hour working day
- A National scheme of unemployment, sickness and insurance
- Tax on unearned income
- End of child Labour

In the 1895 how did the ILP do at the election?

Not one of the 28 ILP candidates won a seat, including Hardie and Burns

How did Hardie respond to the setback of the 1895 election?

He continued to attempt to broaden the appeal of the ILP by cooperating with trade unions, recruiting new members and promoting women's movements

As the Conservatives returned to office in 1895 with a huge majority what did they not need to do?

Show any interest in social reform or labour politics

As a union delegate what did Hardie seek?

An endorsement of the ILP from the TUC at their annual conference each year

Who was the TUC still dominated by?

The craft unions, whose members clung to the self-help ethics

What did the craft unions regard the socialists with?

Suspicion and refused to endorse for several years running with them

What was the ILP?

Small, under-funded and lacked essential Union support

Why were the changes in the trade Union movement by 1899?

As it became increasingly dominated by the big new mass unions, whose aim was to improve conditions for workers and whose growing numbers kept funds in a healthy state.

What did the older craft unions begin to do?

Adapt to meet the changing circumstances

What did the craft unions allow?

- Recruitment of unskilled members at a lower-subscription
- Prepared to be more militant
- Started to adopt socialist ideas and for government to put in place a social reform plan

What did Keir Hardie believe the various trade unions and different socialist groups should do?

Join forces in one large political party

What were some leaders of the older craft unions in opposition to?

A separate working class party

In 1899 what did the annual conference of the Trade Union congress vote for by a slim majority?

to hold a conference of Labour groups and societies and union representatives to discuss how to increase parliamentary representation

In February 1900 what was the Labour Representation Committee (LRC) formed from?

- Union representatives
- ILP
- Local Labour parties
- Members of socialist societies such as the Fabian's

What was the LRC's purpose?

To represent working-class interests in parliament

Who was appointed the LRC's first secretary?

Ramsay MacDonald

Ramsay MacDonald

- Worked hard at school to better himself
- Founding member of the Labour Party and its secretary and leader before the Great War
- Resigned in 1914 because of his pacifism
- PM of first ever Labour government in 1923
- First PM to give a cabinet post to a women

Who refused their support to the LRC?

Several craft unions as they were not convinced by the Socialist arguments

What did the refusal to join of several craft unions leave the LRC with?

Short of funds and the additional skills and leadership talents of influential craft unions

What eventually convinced the craft unions that they needed working class representation in Parliament and to join the LRC?

The Taff Vale judgment in 1901 and Conservative governments refusal to introduce legislation to protect unions

What was the Taff Vale Judgement?

The unions were left liable for damages to employers caused by strikes

When was the Lib-Lab Pact?

1903