Conservative Government 1922-1924 Flashcards
(9 cards)
1
Q
Outcome of the general election of 1922
A
Conservatives: 345 seats
Labour: 142 seats
Liberals: 62
2
Q
Bonar laws government
A
- was not easy to form a government
- most leading figures either refused to participate or had alienated themselves by backing DLG
- 7 peers were in the cabinet- a record number
- generally, the general election of November 1922 highlighted the popularity of bonar law and the conservatives with the public.
3
Q
Why was bonar law replaced
A
Forced to resign, had throat cancer, replaced by Baldwin
4
Q
Other contenders for leadership
A
- lord curzon
- sat in HoL, thought to be out of touch with public opinion
5
Q
When did baldwin call an election?
A
1923
6
Q
Why did Baldwin call an election
A
Over tariff reform
7
Q
Why did Baldwin support this policy?
A
- thought the only way to tackle unemployment was to increase duties on imported goods
- controversial policy, so the only way to get the backing needed would be to call an election
- wanted to reduce competition from abroad and to help struggling British businesses (by making domestically produced goods more attractive)
- would strengthen links with the empire (also in conservative interests)
- liberals against and Labour against- both wanted free trade
- free trade associated with international peace at a time which necessitated peace at home and abroad.
8
Q
Results of the 1923 general election
A
- conservatives= 258 seats
- labour= 191 seats
- liberals=158 seats
- so labour can form a coalition with the liberals to get into government)
9
Q
Reasons why the conservatives lost the 1923 general election
A
- Baldwin called it over tariff reform to get the backing he needed but still very unpopular
- conservatives still associated with the problems of DLG- geddes axe, industrial unrest etc
- Labour Party had grown in popularity and power- all men could vote so w/c men likely to vote for labour
- conservatives failed to get a majority so labour could form a minority government
