Account for the overwhelming Liberal victory in 1906

long argued about the reasons underlying the 1906 landslide, which is of critical importance in assessing the strength of the Liberal Party in the period immediately preceding the First World War. Some argue that the Party remained fighting fit before 1914, and see the result as a positive effect of New Liberalism and its plans for social reform, at a time when the welfare of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens was becoming a key concern.        However, others have argued that rather than the Liberals being voted for because of their views on society, the result reflected an overwhelming rejection of Conservative policies. This view is supported by the negative nature of the Liberal campaign, which emphasised the inability of the previous Tory Government, rather than outlining any radical promises of social reform. Despite the Liberal Government’s later record, social progress was not an issue that greatly troubled the Party’s leadership, at this time. Although, the question of old age pensions was avoided in his election speeches, even the Liberal Chancellor, Lloyd George avoided making any specific commitment regarding welfare reform. It is estimated that only a small group of the Liberal MPs returned to Westminster in 1906 could be defined as ‘Social Radicals,’ who were unquestionably committed to tackling matters of social concern.        By focusing on the failings of the previous Conservative government, the Liberals were able to enjoy a wide appeal across the political and social spectrum. The slogan of free trade was a policy that resoned with a broad audience, reluctant to see food prices rise as a result of the Conservative policy towards tariff reform. The Government’s use of forced Chinese labour in the South African gold mines aroused moral concern, with many of the people, including those who were already upset by the 1902 Education Act. The trade unions were equally annoyed by the Conservatives’ failure to reverse the Taff Vale judgement. In this sense, the result can be viewed as much as a negative reaction against Conservatism rather than an undecided support for Liberalism.         Although this broad support gave the Liberals a strong foundation in the House of Commons, it made decisions difficult due to everyones differenciating beliefs. Campbell Bannerman, had been charged with failing to give a strong lead to the Liberal administration during its first years in office, because he was uncertain how to deal with such a wide cross-section of support. It became clear that it would be impossible to keep such a large range of support in the long term. Traditional sources of Liberal support were already beginning to disappear and 1906 was the first election that gave the Labour Party a foothold in Parliament.        The 1906 Liberal landslide can therefore be considered to have many different reasons as to why it created such and issue in 1906.  The Liberals had a good idea of what the people wanted; like free trade, and their views on society, but without certain contributing factors the victory would not have been by such a majority, if at all.  The slack in the Consevative party, and their inability to work together to get results tore out the faith that numerous people had in them.  They were considered a mess and unable to cope with any form of responsibility in government if they could not even organise their own party.  The Liberal landslide of 1906 was due to the strength of the party, and their ideas of free trade, however if the opposition was not in a state of turmoil, the victory may not have been so great.