Outcome of the 1918 election

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  • Created by: lyd_kate
  • Created on: 23-06-17 09:16
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  • Outcome of the 1918 election
    • By 1918
      • Most Cons and some Liberals wanted to carry on the coalition.
      • Most Liberals supported Asquith. Labour also quit to be independent
    • Reasons for Coalition
      • Lloyd George had gained power and prestige through his alliance
      • Cons depended on LG, own leader (Bonar Law) was not dynamic and there few specific Con policies to attract electorate
      • LG & Cons were concerned about rise of Labour, united to stop this.
      • Bitter wartime disagreements meant it would've been hard for LG to return to Liberals
    • Results
      • Coalition govt won with a large majority. Cons outnumbered coaltion Liberals 3-1
      • Liberals were deeply divided, with coalition Liberals gaining slightly more seats
      • Coalition Liberals in govt. Opposition from Labour & Liberals. Liberals not completely gone yet.
    • Why did the coalition win?
      • Letter of endorsement by LG & Bonar Law meant that there was no split in vote between cons and co-Libs. Libs and lab had no pact.
      • Coalition had met demands of war and extending franchise in 1918 (women who could vote more likely to vote Con)
      • Some Cons were helped by the fact that arrangements for more working class male votes were not yet in place
      • Coalition had more dynamic ministers, unlike Asquith. Non coalition candidates were also divided, despite 3m votes
      • Promised better life for Britons and both promised harsh treatment of Germans
    • Aftermath
      • LG was very dependent on Cons
      • 260 Con MPs who were businessmen  and industrialists (difficult to control, did not want traditional policies), Labour had more from TU's. Represented different economic interests more

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