Why did the liberal governments come into conflict with the house of lords in the years 1906-1911.

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Why did the liberal governments come into conflict with the house of lords in the years 1906-1911

    In 1905, the unionists dissolved parliament, amidst great unpopularity, and in 1906 a historic general election was held. The election of 1906 was the largest majority victory for any party ever at the time, and remained so right into the modern day. It  was such a dramatic victory almost certainly because of unionist unpopularity at the time. The unionists had recently lost great support amoungst the recently enfranchised working class over failing to reverse the Taff-Vale judgement (a legal case which meant unions that went on strike were liable to pay damages to their employers), and also over chamberlains proposed tarrif reform bill, which they were convinced would raise the price of bread in particular. The Education act of 1902 was another unpopular action of the 1902-1905 government. as was the 'chinese slavery' in Africa. The unionist hope in 1905 when they resigned, was to win back popularity by proving how inaffective the Liberals would be when in power, and they had a rather sneaky way of doing so. The House of Lords was prodominently Conservative, and due to the legislation at the time, had the final say in weather a bill would become an act of parliament, including the power to veto a bill altogether. The unionists intended to use this inherrent controll in the house of lords to control the new Liberal govenment, and in every way possible gain back support for the Unionist party. As mr Balfor put it 'The great unionist party should still control, weather in power or opposition, the destinys of this great empire.'

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    The 1906 election made Liberal Henry Cambell-Bannerman Prime Minister, Asquith chanceler of the exchequer, and Lloyd-George president of the board of trade. Yet even with the overwelming majority in house of commons, the Liberal government was unable to introduce many of its new ideas or promices, due to the house of lords. Although Cambel-Bannerman did manage to introduce some new measures. the trades dispute act of 1906 reversed the Taff-Vale judgement, the workman compensation act made employers responsibe for injuries sustained at work, miners work hours were reduced, and 2 education acts provided meals and medical care within ...

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