Liberal Government and Politics, 1905-15 [Paperback]

This book is an innovative appraisal of Edwardian Liberalism and the 1905-15 Liberal governments. Making extensive use of new archival research the volume identifies the major concerns of Liberals in the first two decades of the twentieth century and explores how policy-making was related to conflicting definitions of Liberal ideology.Acknowledgements Introduction PART 1: GOVERNMENT AND PARTY Leadership The Party in Parliament The Party outside Parliament PART 2: FOREIGN, DEFENCE AND COLONIAL POLICY Foreign Policy Defence Policy Colonial Policy PART 3: LIBERALS AND THE UNITED KINGDOM The Background to Irish Home Rule The Home Rule Moment PART 4: LIBERALISM AND DEMOCRACY The House of Lords Franchise Reform PART 5: A NONCONFORMIST PARTY? Nonconformity and Liberalism Churhc versus Chapel The Moral Agenda The Religious Context of Edwardian Liberalism PART 6: THE ECONOMY AND FINANCE The Meaning of Free Trade The State and the Economy National Taxation PART 7: SOCIAL REFORM AND LABOUR RELATIONS Social Reform Labour Relations PART 8: EPILOGUE: A LIBERAL WAR? The Decision of War Strategy and the Economy Preserving Liberalism The End Notes and References Bibliography Index

'Packer has produced a highly-competent and shrewd account of the Liberal governments and their problems. His book will serve as a helpful introduction to a period of considerable importance.' - Michael Bentley, Archives: The journal of the British Records Association

'...this slim yet thoroughly-researched book breaks significant new ground...this is a book that should appeal to anybody interested in the history of the Liberal Party, and one which will be of considerable utility in a teaching context.' - Paul Readman, Journal of Liberal History

IAN PACKER is Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Media and Humanities at the University of Lincoln, UK. He is the author of a number of works on early twentieth-century British political history, including Lloyd George, Ll“Ø