What if … the 1832 Great Reform Act hadn’t happened?
At one key stage the Great Reform Bill was passed by a majority of just one. What would have happened if the Bill had instead been defeated at that stage? … Read the full post »
william gladstone
Nick Clegg’s speech to LibDem Conference
During Liberal Democrat conference someone watching it from home texted me: “I now know what the Lib Dems are against – bankers, top rate taxpayers, tax cheats generally, overpaid directors and energy companies But, with the single exception of gay marriage, I’ve got no idea what the Lib Dems are for.” Some will – rightly … Read the full post »
Office of Tax Simplification quotes Star Trek and recommends ending relief for a tax rule that no longer exists
My favourite tax quirk is the discovery that there is still a tax relief on the books for a tax rule that no longer exists. … Read the full post »
Which Way’s Up? The long-term future of the coalition
The rapid appearance since the formation of the Coalition of Conservative MP Nick Boles’s book Which Way’s Up? is a tribute to… … Read the full post »
What’s left of Gladstonian Liberalism in the Liberal Democrats?
William Gladstone’s legacy for modern political parties was the subject for discussion at the January meeting of the Liberal Democrat History Group. … Read the full post »
Forthcoming meeting: the legacy of Gladstonian Liberalism
In celebration of the bi-centenary of the birth of William Ewart Gladstone in 1809, the History Group is holding a meeting to find out what Gladstonian Liberalism was and how it came to dominate late Victorian politics. … Read the full post »
Gladstone vs Disraeli: BBC4 broadcast on Tuesday
BBC4 is showing a new film, Gladstone & Disraeli: Clash of the Titans, on Tuesday, 3rd March, 8pm. According to the blurb it is: A 90 minute-long film, which unfolds the extraordinary story of the bitter personal feud that developed between two of 19th Century Britain’s greatest politicians, William Gladstone (1809 – 1898) and Benjamin … Read the full post »
Thankfully, William Gladstone wasn’t right about everything
“This will lead to the abolition of Christmas” – William Gladstone on the 1831 Great Reform Bill. It became an act, our electoral system became rather more democratic and Christmas survived. Thank you from everyone on the team for all the reading, commenting and contributing over the last year and have a great Christmas. If … Read the full post »
Eight reasons for Gordon Brown to be worried
Before Tony Blair, only seven men and one woman have previously held office as British Prime Minister for ten years or more. … Read the full post »