All about Lloyd George and the Coalition Gov 1918-1922

Lloyd George and the coalition 1918-1922

Why did LG win the 1918 election?

• Liberal split: dispute between the traditionalists (asquithian libs) who believed in laissez faire etc, and the new liberals (LG) who were more willing to get involved (welfare reforms).
• LG was seen as the "man without a party" so without the Tories support he could not have remained as PM.
• He was seen as the best man to "win the peace". He also seen as a bold, decisive leader, a man of action.
• LG's electoral Rhetoric (language due to persuade; manifesto- what the party planned to do):
  • He dominated the hustings and the media and it became "more of a plebiscite than an election" (a vote on one issue, and that was whether to keep LG or not).
  • He was impressive and a persuasive orator (good speaker)
  • He made promises in tune with the mood of the nation such as "make Germany pay" and "homes fit for heroes", (this appealed due to the war)
• CONSERVATIVES wanted the coalition with LG because:
  • he was the "man who won the war"
  • he was an electoral asset
  • he appealed to the working classes
  • he was a barrier against the spread of communism
  • he had good relationships with Bonar Law (a conservative)
• The Conservatives had also lost confidence in themselves:
  • hadn't won an election since 1902
  • the extension to the franchise/The representation of the people act (the right to vote) worried them. Women 30+ and all men 21+ could now vote and were less likey to vote conservative as the lower classes liked LG's welfare reforms; (so they wanted LG for the support of the new voters)
• THE COUPON ELECTION:
  • All coalition candidates were issued with a certificate signed by Bonar Law and LG; "the coupon"
  • With this, it meant that they were unopposed in their constituency by any other coalition candidates which maximised their chance of success (88% of coalition candidates were elected)
  • This particulary disadvantaged Labour:
    • Constituency A:
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    • 40…