Conservative Government in the 1920s
- Created by: RosieGraham
- Created on: 06-06-16 17:51
Fullscreen
STANLEY BALDWIN 1867-1947
Early Career
- 1908 became the MP of Brewdley after his father
- Little impression of ambition or driving force
- 1921 - President of the Board of Trade
- Carlton Club speech = bought him to the limelight
- Chancellor of the Exchequer under Bonar Law in 1923
- Leader of Conservatives in 1923
Outlook and Beliefs
- Little time for dynamic politicians (LG & Churchill)
- Conciliation & preservation of balance = "Safety First" - no risk taking
- contrasting LG's dangerous radicalism
- Broadly consensual, Christian, patriotism
- Intuitive understanding of middle & professional classes
- Bring together - not emphasise divisions
- Faith, Hope, Love and Work
Personality
- Common sense & integrity, humane, tolerant, decent - not greatly talented
- Sympathy for views of others - fair in debate, never lost temper
- Respected by opponents
- Wide audience through popular press and BBC - broadcasts reached 50% of voters in 1935
- "Safe"
- Although - "masterly inactivity" - "person of the utmost insignificance" - Curzon
- Skilful political operator & excelled in art of political tactics
Summary
Major contributions to British politics were:
- United Cons party through wars
- Did not underestimate & appreciated Labour as competition
- Ensure survival of democracy in GB at a time where it was challenged in Europe
Negatives
- Too cautious?
- Reluctant to make decisions - "wait and see"
- Economic problems & Nazi menace = unimaginative/cautious
- Used speeches to make up for a lack of action
- "actor" rather than a "doer" - Robert Blake
- "platitude after platitude"
- Style suited 1920s but inadequate for 1930s
BALDWIN'S FIRST MINISTRY 1923-24
Baldwin's Appointment
- November 1922: Cons win election - BL = PM, cancer
- May 1923: BL resigned, two candidates to succeed:
- Lord Curzon: Viceroy of India, Foreign Sec since 1919: aristocratic, tactless and arrogant - unpopular but pedigree
- Stanley Baldwin: Carlton Club, settlement with US over payments, common sense & honesty - popular
- King appointed Baldwin on May 21st, Curzon cont as Foreign Sec
Baldwin's Ministry 1923-1924
- One solid piece of legislation:
- Housing Act 1923 - Chamberlain: Subsidy of £6 p.a. for each house built (private/public)
- For sale
- Benefitted lower middle class
- Attacked by Lab - no housing for poor?
- However, embodied govt responsibility
- Housing Act 1923 - Chamberlain: Subsidy of £6 p.a. for each house built (private/public)
Baldwin's Plymouth Speech, October 1923
- Traditionally, Free Trade was spearheaded by Libs & disregarded by Cons
- Unemployment 1.25m in 1923
- Baldwin proposed tariffs to protect for competition
- enthusiastically by country, but suprise
- called election - why?
- Genuinely thought Protectionism was answer to economic problems - more sales for Steel if foreign supplies were reduced
- To outmanoeuvre LG and his threats of a "Centre Party" & Protection policies - division between the Cons and Libs
- Provoked crisis to defeat - enemies to make a mess, return stronger
- Results:
- Reunion of Liberal Party - superficial in the face of protecting Free Trade, would never play subordinate to Asquith
November 1923 Election
- Lab & Lib = Free Trade - essential for a seafaring nation, protection = higher prices
- Cons 258, Lab 191, Lib 158
- Cons could only stay in power with Liberal support, Asquith supported…
Comments
No comments have yet been made