Source: File: David
Lloyd George. See an original image at: <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:David_Lloyd_George_1915.jpg>
[Accessed 07 December 2016]
After the initial months of
conflicts, tensions had raised
In the running of British
government - the munitions
Shortages prompted a change for
important decisions -
A Coalition rule formed as a way
forward for war.
May 1915 marked the date when
Liberal prime minister
Asquith formed this situation,
from out of the belief
That war could be managed in
business as usual;
Though lack of unionist
support left government weak.
The coalition then consisted of
one labour member
Along with nine conservatives -
though the liberals
Still held the most important
positions - to dissatisfy
The conservative party and their
leader Bonar Law.
Continual failures did not bring
war to any conclusion;
The Dardanelles campaign had ended
without success,
The Somme Offensive had not
brought the hoped
For outcome - by December Roumania
lay defeated.
Such variety of threads had all
been woven into place,
To cause a likely unavoidable
chain reaction - another
Factor was the Lansdowne
Memorandum published
13 November seeking a Central Powers
settlement.
20 November 1916 saw a meeting set
by Max Aitken,
Canadian entrepreneur and friend
to leader Bonar Law,
To be attended by Lloyd George
and Edward Carson
Irish politician and unionist - to agree need for change.
In making conclusion the current
government was
Not functioning, they formulated
an agreed plan for
A War Council led by Lloyd George
- they all agreed
Asquith would remain prime
minster and overseer.
Yet divisions remained amid
politicians over Asquith
Staying on as prime minster. The
newspaper Magnate
Lord Northcliffe emerged, playing
a pivotal role in the
Outcome, taking many meetings
with Lloyd George.
The proposal was then presented
to Asquith over
Establishing this War Council, of
more than five
Members, although Asquith would
keep 'supreme
Control’; Asquith stated that he
would be chairman.
With the plan tentatively taken
Lloyd George could
Not accept Asquith's wish - he
wrote to Bonar Law
2 December to say he had to make
'resolute action' -
The press bubbled as conservative
leaders met.
By twists and turns of unconfirmed
plots raised
Debates over Asquith's future position
- a resolution
From conservatives came; Asquith
would need
To tender resignation of the
current government.
If he did not conservative
members would then
Resign - Bonar Law relayed this
to prime minister
But without raising the
resolution, after they met
Asquith sought to compromise with
Lloyd George.
In a return to basics with 1st
December proposal,
Was amendment that the prime
minister would
Instead have right of daily
oversight and allowed
To veto - Asquith, George and Law
met again.
3 December 5 p.m. they decided over
a bulletin
To be released to state the
Government was
To undergo modifications - 4
December saw
Release, to attract great hostile
press reactions.
Critics said how Asquith would be
prime minister
In name only - suspicions lay on
Lloyd George
As the source to a press editor -
Asquith reacted;
He could not go on if claims were
uncorrected.
4 December saw various quick fire
meetings and
Led to Asquith and supporters
standing firm, in
Order to fight into
evening's meltdown - Asquith
Reacted in rejecting the idea of
a war council.
With further debates too and fro
on 5 December,
Ministers showed their true
colours; that without
Bona Law and Lloyd George in post
they could not
Work in the Government -
instability had been set.
Into evening's darkness 5
December Asquith made
His way to Buckingham Palace, for an audience
With the king - next mornings
newspaper reports
Told In a grave act Asquith had
given his resignation.
Later that same evening Bonar Law
had followed
The same path, in order to accept
the King's offer
In royal commission - battle
lines between Asquith
And George led to problems egged
on by press.
While making acceptance of king's
Commission
Bonar Law called at No 10 Downing
Street to ask
If Asquith would still serve with
him - but with his
Refusal Bonar Law rejected
the royal commission.
Finally 6 December Lloyd George
was requested
To form a government - He acted
within 24 hours
To establish not a war council,
but a war cabinet -
By 7 December date George was
prime minister.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1916. Mr Asquith's Resignation. The Daily Telegraph,
[online] 6 December 1916.
P.8. Col.5. Available at:
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12213939/Daily-Telegraph-December-6-1916.html>
[Accessed: 7 December 2016].
Source: File: H. H. Asquith. Wikipedia. Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._H._Asquith>
[Accessed 7 December 2016]
Source: File: David Lloyd George.
Wikipedia. Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lloyd_George>
[Accessed 7 December 2016]
Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 7 December 2016).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Britain
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