New Liberalism: Constitutional Crisis/Elections of 1910

• Robert Blake: 'Insane decision' to reject budget immediately
• No government can continue unless budget is approved so it can collect taxes
• It would cause the House of Lords to control Government Policy
• Asquith was prepared to battle to reduce power of the Lords
• It was resolved in 1911: 18 months after Bill rejection

1. General Election held in January 1910 was disappointing

• Liberals lost over 100 seats
• Liberals had 275 seats and Conservatives 273
• Labour had 40 and Irish Nationalists had 82
• Many of the people who voted for Liberals in 1906 were scared of new radical policies

2. Liberals continued due to Labour and Irish Support

• Irish support meant constituency crisis mixed with Irish Home Rule
• Irish…