Liberals in WW1

Lloyd George as War Time Leader

Asquith had amature style meetings, David brought in a proper cabinet agenda
Secretaries were brought in from the civil service
Factories told what to produce and prices were controlled
Women took men's places in industry
Brought in a 5 man war cabinet - met evey day
Food rationing was intensified
David had already brought in a minimum wage for farmers used prisoners of war to gather harvest
Food output increased and so did food rationing
Minister of National Service was set up to organised conscription
Acted more like a president than a PM
Bold improvisation worked and helped win the war

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Split between Asquith and Lloyd George worsened in 1918 over the Marice debate
Sir Frederick Marice (director of military operations) said that government had deliberatly limited the supply of men to France
Asquith spoke against Lloyd George and the debate was seen as a vote of confidence in lloyd george as PM
72 Liberals supported Lloyd George
98 supported Asquith

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After the war, an election was needed
1918 - Representation of the people act gave men over 21 and women over 30 the vote
Voters increased from 8 million to nearly 22 milion
Lloyd George and Bonar Law wanted to keep the coalition gov and issued signed letters of endorsement to those who wished to follow them
Asquith called them 'coupons'

Results

Within 4 years the Liberal Party declined to become the 3rd political party in Britain

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War threatened liberty - a fundermental liberal belief
Conscription seemed a threat to the individual's freedom - as did censorship
Both factors were essential to the war effort but both issues worsened divisions in the party
The coalition broke up the 'Progressive Alliance' between Lib Lab and Irish that had exsisted since 1910
Spilt between Asquith and Lloyd George weaked the party

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