Higher History-why Liberals introduced Social Reform

Introduction

Throughout 19th century politicians led a laissez faire attitude towards social reform
Changed with Liberals landslide victory in the 1906 election
Fears over national security
genuine concern over poor and unemployed
National efficiency
New ideas and liberalism within the party
Municipial socialism

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1889, Britain at war in South Africa (part of British empire at time) and due to small numbers in Britain's army, volunteers required to fill ranks
Soon came to gov attention that 25% of voluntary recruits rejected.
Important because rejected due to being physically unfit to serve but Britain could not survive a war or protect empire while men unhealthy
Great concern resulted in interdepartmental committee on Physical Deterioation examining problems associated with public health in England and Wales
Scotland- Royal Commission carried out same task
Reports of 1904 suggested people in bad health
Also reccomended improving health and overcrowding (free school meals, medical examinations for school children

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Charles Booth, Seebohm Rowntree carried out investigations, revealed true extent of poverty in Britain
Booth researched London-concluded 35% lived in poverty
Rowntree showed 30% in York living in poverty
Argued same figures likely to be replicated throught country
Charles booth important-argued if gov did not interveen to help poor, socialist revolution
Rowntree drew up poverty line, defined poverty as primary or secondary
They provided statistical data which simply could not be ignored
Politicians realised people were in poverty through no fault of their own, could not escape

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Britain no longer strongest industrial nation, facing serious compitition from other nations (Germany)
Great concern over ill health and bad education getting worse bc if they did, it would mean Britain's position further threatened
Great deal of unemployment, people didnt know where to look for jobs
Politicians increasingly concerned, motivated gov to deal with problems
Solution to unemployment-Liberals opened Labour Exchanges to help unemployeed sick jobs, increasing efficiency of Labour market.
Lack of efficiency would impact gov members through diminishing profits as many MPs buisness men

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from 1884 most men had vote, liberals tended to attract many of votes hw, by 1906 Labour competing for their votes.
Often argued that Liberal reform only passed to gain political advantage, no genuine concern for poor
Previously Old Liberals believed poverty due to defects of character, people should help themselves out of poverty
New liberal party believed people could not escape poverty despite efforts
New Libs believed gov should interveen in order to help poor
Old libs-Campbell Bannerman- died in 1908, new liberals-Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George- both introduced new reforms

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Municipial socialism-local tax, used for social improvement, result of benefits that poor experienced from improvements made using money charged from local tax
Factory and Public Health Act: introduced to improve working and living conditions
Gov of various parties moved towards greater intervention
1873, Liberal Joseph Chamberlain became mayor of Birmingham, used influence for 3 years to intro series of social reforms
Birmingham water supply considered danger to public health, piped water only supplied 3 times/week and polluted
Chamberlain purchased Birrmingham's water and gas works, cleared slums
Glasgow - £1.5 m on water sourcing-great positive effect on people
Schemes esp important since so successful, influenced gov to make changes, reforms greatly needed

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