P6 - Conservative domination to 1905

Liberals

-divided over home rule + levels of state intervention, as goes against laisse-faire

-Liberal unionists formed and separated

-HOL dominant by Conservatives Lords, so hard to pass legislation

-Saw as giving into terrorism with dealing with Parnell

-neglected social reform as focused on Ireland

-working class voted this party, but later create their own party

Conservatives

-established itself as the party of imperialism and patriotic to the UK

-trying to appeal beyond the landed and old

-Salisbury manipulated skilfully the INP

-social reform in previous ministries attracted the working class

Who was Salisbury

Pm 1885 , 86-92, 95-02

-head of the Cecil family

-successful Pm, being in office 3 times and foreign sec in 1878

-manipulated the Irish nationalists in 1885, passing legislation suggesting he might pass Home Rule

-Absorbed the Liberal unionists into the Conservatives, when the split in 1886

Victoria called for him to replace Gladstone when he resigned in 1885

Newcastle Program

series of proposed reforms agreed in Newcastle by the Liberal party, that aided them winning the 1892 election

-disestablishment of the church

-land reform

-drinking reforms

How did Salisbury maintain dominance

Salisbury unworried as knew he could block legislation in HOL + Gladstone focused on Ireland

had support of the party

Randolph Churchill - conservative

rivalled Salisbury in the Conservatives

was very charming + intelligent, calling for social change

popular with the primrose league and constituencies

-humiliated the party leader in the commons, to the point fellow supporters nicknamed them the “Fourth Party”

became head of National Union, but wanted more say in policies, but Salisbury promised a cabinet position + made him chancellor of exchequer so he dropped it

-resigned over army reforms and left in 1886 , and died young of syphilis

-Salisbury now had no rivals so respected

Liberal unionists bond

1895, Salisbury united with defecting Liberals

put 5 key liberal unionist in his cabinet e.g. Joe Chamberlain as Colonial office

formally alley until 1912

-Salisbury listened to them, and gave his ministers autonomy, so suggested he showed respect to liberal unionists unlike Gladstone

New Liberalism

Progressives and radicals suggested peace, retrenchment and reform weren’t enough

-greater sate intervention to help the poor and prevent the rise of socialism

crisis identity, as wanted to be a party for the working class, but wanted to keep upper + middle class supporters who opposed reform

Richard Middleton

chief agent, who met with Salisbury regularly

Chief Whip

worked with Middleton to keep Mps loyal, and attuned to party opinion

-Liberals party weren’t as organised by 1900

Boer war 1900

The Conservatives capitalized on patriotic support for the war, using it to portray themselves as strong defenders of the empire.

they won a large majority in Parliament. This was seen as an endorsement of the government’s handling of the war.

-Khaki Election- describe any election in which military conflict plays a major role in influencing voters.

-Liberals divided on whether the war should be occurring

Social legislation

Passed by Salisbury in his second ministry 1886-92, which helped him to be re-elected in 95

-liberals very split that conservatives didn’t really need to campaign

-toured industrial cities and towns making 70+ speeches

-cautious reforms satisfied the conservatives and didn’t alienate

needed lib unionists on his side + working class , even though he wasn’t an advocate of social reform

Measures : 1885-92

1885 Working class dwellings act - extended the power of local authorities to remove slums

1888 Local gov act - Established county councils and county boroughs

1889 technical instructions act - improve the technical skills of young ppl, with fears of falling behind Germany

Concerns existed under Gladstone passed by Salisbury

1889 Uni grants - given for the first time#

1891 education act - 2mil spent for free compulsory elementary education

1890 Housing of Working class act - council take uninhabited houses and replace with council built houses

1890 Factory act - end children under 11 working + set 12h max day for women

1891 Tithes act -abolished 10% tax to local churches

1892 Allotments and small holdings act - set agricultural labourers with own plot of land

Salisbury 3rd gov 1895-1902

dominated by imperial and foreign affairs, but still also passed domestic affairs

-wanted to keep expenditure low

-measures to improve housing for poor, condition of shops , factory safety

1897 Workers compensation act - pay to injuries sustained at work ( mainly Chamberlain)

1899 Board of education - central education department of the gov

• Chamberlain proposed for old aged pensions but abandoned due to Boer war

legislative paralysis

many acts touched the surface of aid, but didn’t fully help, so policies weren’t significant

-Salisbury accused of this