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Home , Liberal Party (UK, 1989), National Liberal Club, Reform Club

a meeting place for LIBERALs

The was founded in 1883. In November the following year Mr Gladstone laid the foundation stone of the new and permanent Club House, at 1 Place, SW1, and the building was opened in 1887. With aims including the provision of an inexpensive meeting place for Liberals and their friends, the furtherance of the Liberal cause, and the foundation of a political and historical library, the Club has witnessed many scenes of Liberal triumph – and less happy events – over the past century and a quarter. Peter Harris recounts the story of the National Liberal Club and gives a brief guide to its building.

18 Journal of Liberal History 51 Summer 2006 a meeting place for LIBERALs

n 4 November ­various features which were novel of being the focus and centre of 1884, Mr Gladstone or uncommon, among them reform in the . laid the foundation being the electrical passenger lift, The first half of the twentieth stone of the new which was one of the earliest, if century alone renders the follow- and per manent not the first, to be installed in a ing list of more notable political OClub House of the National London building. issues: the Home Rule contro- Liberal Club. The Club itself had The avowed objects of the versy and the split in the party been launched the previous year Club were: which it caused; the ‘flowing tide’ and only six weeks after being 1. The provision of an inexpen- of success during the early 1890s, announced had a list of nearly sive meeting place for Liber- and the temporary eclipse at the 2,500 intending members. By the als and their friends from all time of the South African War; date of the laying of the founda- over the country. the tremendous uprising of Radi- tion stone the Club was already 2. The furtherance of the Lib- cal enthusiasm from 1903 to 1905, active with 4,480 members. At eral cause. with its triumphant culmina- that time, and until the open- 3. The foundation of a politi- tion in the 1906 election, and its ing of the new Club House in cal and historical library as a renewal in 1910; the epic struggle 1887, the Club met in premises memorial to Gladstone and over the Parliament Bill, under leased on the corner of North- his work. the leadership of Mr Asquith; umberland Avenue, overlooking With the opening of this per- the long series of measures creat- . To celebrate manent home, the first of the ing, improving, or extending the the opening of the Club a great objects of the Club was seen to social services; the acrid course of inaugural banquet was held at be achieved, whilst the third was agitation about women’s suffrage the , Westmin- attained by the opening of the – all these have had their intimate ster. This was a brilliant affair, at Gladstone Library on 2 May 1888 connection with the Club, for which the Earl Granville was the by Gladstone himself. The Library, it was the mainspring of Liberal Chairman, and Mr Gladstone the ranking as the most extensive activity. principal speaker. The magazine of the Club libraries of London, In personnel also, the Club had Punch reported that 200 dozen provided a valuable aid to Liber- a dazzling record as the following bottles of Pommery champagne als on the intellectual side, whilst list of names shows: Harcourt, were ordered for the occasion. also serving as a most pleasant , Lincoln- The permanent housing of the place for study for those members shire, Morley, Grey, Birrell, John Club was achieved with funds whose tastes were more literary Burns, Carson, Haldane, Samuel subscribed to a joint stock com- than political. and Simon. One special group pany bearing the name of ‘The The second object of the deserves to be mentioned – seven National Liberal Club Buildings Club, by its very nature, contin- Prime Minsters: Mr Gladstone, Company’. Although incomplete, ues as long as any force remains of course, Lord Rosebery, Sir the building was opened for the in Liberalism, and the record of Henry Campbell-Bannerman, H use of members in time for the the Club shows how much the H Asquith, , Jubilee of 1887, so that on 20 Liberal cause, not only at home Ramsay McDonald (briefly a June of that year they were able but in the world at large, owes to member at the time of the First to watch the procession from its the existence of this place and the World War), and last – so far – Sir windows and terrace. Two days maintenance of its tradition. . They were a later the membership reached a (Left) The National From 1887 onwards, event mixed bag in their political affili- total of 6,000, two-thirds being Liberal Club at followed event in a stirring ations when they took office but country members. its opening. (All sequence, and in victory and were all at some time at home in photos supplied The building, designed by by the National defeat, in expansion or decline, the Club. , contained Liberal Club.) the Club performed the function

Journal of Liberal History 51 Summer 2006 19 a meeting place for liberals

Left: the original Gradually, from about 1922 staircase; the onwards it became evident that Lady Violet Room. the high tide of political success was receding. In general mem- bership, however, more could be found who had joined a club rather than a hive of politi- cians. Civil servants, journalists – these, no doubt, finding the premises a convenient half-way house between Westminster and Fleet Street – literary and pro- fessional people had always been represented in the membership and were now becoming a more notable part of it. A few high spots stick in the memory of the post-war years. Outstanding among them were the Coronation, with the Club full of members and their guests, to watch the procession along the Embankment as they had also in 1937, and election nights, when the Smoking Room was crowded, the results announced as they came in. There was also the dinner to celebrate the cente- nary of Gladstone’s first adminis- tration, which received its seals of office on9 December 1868. In the packed Dining Room there were speeches from Lady Asquith (her- self a Prime Minister’s daughter) and the Archbishop of Canter- bury. In 1984 there was another centenary to celebrate – the lay- ing of the foundation stone – and members gathered in the vast wine cellar of the Club to toast Mr Gladstone in front of the very stone that he had laid. By 1976, the Club began to realise that the pattern of life had changed. Shorter working hours and the five-day week had taken their toll; weekend use of the Club had diminished dras- tically. Inflation, recession, the various attempts of successive governments to deal with them, all affected the running of the Club. Frankly, the building was too large for its post-war mem- bership and maintenance was becoming an impossible burden. Closure seemed the only pos- sible course but at the last pos- sible minute hope was revived Right: the dining room; the and with the generous help and smoking room. energetic leadership of one of the

20 Journal of Liberal History 51 Summer 2006 a meeting place for liberals

Journal of Liberal History 51 Summer 2006 21 a meeting place for liberals members, Sir Lawrence Rob- The record down to even the Dining Room their original tilework, rising the son, a company was formed to chairs. The structure was carefully full height. ­manage and finance the Club and of the Club composed of load-bearing steel- The Lloyd George Room its building. The accommodation work, the exterior being faced in was originally the Grill Room used by the Club is now some- shows how Portland stone. The design was and the original grill and oven what smaller but the Club rooms to be of fireproof construction remain. Once again there is much have been restored to their former much the throughout. The latest systems tilework in different shades of splendour and the Club looks to Liberal of heating and ventilation were beige, green and, uniquely in the the future with confidence. used. The electric lighting was building, blue. Early photographs cause, by the pioneering firm of Edi- show the room set up with indi- son & Swan. There was also to be vidual tables, each on their own The building not only a unique lift/railway designed to Persian style carpet, with din- Alfred Waterhouse, the architect bring the wine bottles up from ing chairs specially designed by finally employed by the Trustees at home the vast cellars. The final cost of Waterhouse. of the Club, was born in Liver- but in the the building itself was £165,950. The Lady Violet Room was pool in 1830. His first commis- The Entrance Hall sets the originally dedicated to be a small sion was for the Grosvenor Hotel world at tone for the whole of the build- drawing room / reading room. at Chester. His winning the ing. The walls are panelled with On the plans it had been des- competition for the Manchester large, owes different shades of tilework and ignated as an anteroom to the Assize Courts, followed by other the woodwork is executed in ‘grand room’ next door which municipal buildings in that area, to the mahogany. The reception coun- was to be used for lectures, etc., started his long career of impor- existence ter on the left fills what was once and there are designs for a plat- tant works. the waiting room for members’ form at the end of that room Waterhouse had not been of this guests. The large blocked up arch- reached by a doorway from this originally intended as the archi- way on the right once led through room. Early photographs show a tect. The Club had been anxious place and to the main reception area. The handsome overmantel above the to obtain some of the Crown land Entrance Hall was designed as a fireplace and a set of large, square, on the Embankment which was the main- preparation for the Grand Stair- mahogany-framed mirrors, simi- being developed by John Carr, tenance of case which was designed as one of lar to those still existing in the an early member of the Club. the main glories of the building. Lincolnshire Room above. Later However, Carr’s plans were not to its tradi- The original staircase was based in the Club’s history this room the Club’s liking and eventually on that in the Barbarini Palace in was used as the Ladies’ Drawing Waterhouse was commissioned. tion. Rome and was executed in mar- Room. He was already well known ble and alabaster. Waterhouse was The Smoking Room is one among leading Liberals. encouraged to design something of the chief glories of the Club. The limited company formed that would simply be the best in Along with the Dining Room it is to build the Club House had a London and certainly to outdo lined with great tiled Corinthian share capital of £200,000, and Barry’s work at the , columns which are remarkable in Waterhouse was commissioned a club from which many of the their own right. The triangular within a fortnight of the compa- original members of the NLC shaped tiles will only fit at their ny’s launch. Determined to be a came. The original staircase was particular level since each row leader in style, the Club was to be destroyed by enemy action and is smaller as they ascend and are designed in Italian style rather than is the greatest loss that the build- curved specifically to match that solid gothic. Waterhouse’s designs ing has ever suffered. The flights point on the column. The tiles allowed for splendid club rooms of the staircase were joined by sheathe steel columns within. The and also the largest number of pairs of marble columns and in Smoking Room was originally bedrooms of any club in London. parts, the staircase quite literally placed in the room below but at It was designed for a membership ‘floated’ on bridges over voids a very early stage in the history who were accustomed to being at created in the design. The walls of the Club was moved to the least weekly ‘boarders’ in town. of the staircase were tiled and in present room. As such it has wit- Waterhouse’s designs offered parts pierced by arched openings nessed many of the great events ingenious solutions to a very through to the corridors leading of Liberal history. awkwardly shaped triangular site. off the landings. The Dining Room with its bar The building is centred around its The staircase was rebuilt in leads out of the Smoking Room grand staircase of white Sicilian the 1950s to a much simpler and, by way of an anteroom leading to marble. Not only did Waterhouse at that time, more fashionable the Embankment Terrace. Some design the glittering rooms, dis- design. The present steps and bal- of the tilework here is different playing wonderful faience tile- ustrade are remnants of the origi- from that in the rest of the build- work manufactured by Wilcock nal. The corridors on each floor ing, having a somewhat Chinese & Co, but also the furnishings, of the Club building retain all theme.

22 Journal of Liberal History 51 Summer 2006 a meeting place for liberals

Mindful of this splendid and enjoy the very best club we are reminded by Glad- qualified by fear; the prin- Club House and great history, services and a wide variety of stone’s bust which guards the ciple of Liberalism is trust the National Liberal Club is as cultural, political and social front entrance, of the famous in the people, qualified by alive today as it ever was and events. As such a place with quote from his speech in prudence. remains a meeting place for so great a tradition, it has a Chester: Liberals to further the Liberal supreme appeal to those who The Revd Peter Harris is Honor- cause. Members continue to love Liberal ideas, and value The principle of Toryism ary Archivist and Art Curator of be drawn from all walks of life the corporate life. Each day is mistrust of the people, the National Liberal Club. RESEARCH IN PROGRESS If you can help any of the individuals listed below with sources, contacts, or any other information — or if you know anyone who can — please pass on details to them. Details of other research projects in progress should be sent to the Editor (see page 3) for inclusion here.

Hubert Beaumont MP. After pursuing candidatures in his native The Liberal Party in the West Midlands from December 1916 to Northumberland southward, Beaumont finally fought and won Eastbourne the 1923 general election. Focusing on the fortunes of the party in in 1906 as a ‘Radical’ (not a Liberal). How many Liberals in the election Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Looking to explore fought under this label and did they work as a group afterwards? Lord the effects of the party split at local level. Also looking to uncover the Beaumont of Whitley, , London SW1A 0PW; beaumontt@ steps towards temporary reunification for the 1923 general election. parliament.uk. Neil Fisher, 42 Bowden Way, Binley, Coventry CV3 2HU ; neil.fisher81@ ntlworld.com. Letters of (1804–65). Knowledge of the whereabouts of any letters written by Cobden in private hands, Recruitment of Liberals into the Conservative Party, 1906–1935. autograph collections, and obscure locations in the UK and abroad for a Aims to suggest reasons for defections of individuals and develop an complete edition of his letters. (For further details of the Cobden Letters understanding of changes in electoral alignment. Sources include Project, please see www.uea.ac.uk/his/research/projects/cobden). Dr personal papers and newspapers; suggestions about how to get hold of Anthony Howe, School of History, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 the papers of more obscure Liberal defectors welcome. Cllr Nick Cott, 1a 7TJ; [email protected]. Henry Street, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE3 1DQ; N.M.Cott@ncl. ac.uk. Cornish Methodism and Cornish political identity, 1918–1960s. Researching the relationship through oral history. Kayleigh Milden, Life of Wilfrid Roberts (1900–91). Roberts was Liberal MP for Institute of Cornish Studies, Hayne Corfe Centre, Sunningdale, Truro TR1 Cumberland North (now Penrith and the Border) from 1935 until 1950 3ND; [email protected]. and came from a wealthy and prominent local Liberal family; his father had been an MP. Roberts was a passionate internationalist, and was Liberal foreign policy in the 1930s. Focusing particularly on Liberal a powerful advocate for refugee children in the Spanish civil war. His anti-appeasers. Michael Kelly, 12 Collinbridge Road, Whitewell, parliamentary career is coterminous with the nadir of the Liberal Party. Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT36 7SN; [email protected]. Roberts joined the Labour Party in 1956, becoming a local councillor Liberal policy towards Austria-Hungary, 1905–16. Andrew Gardner, in Carlisle and the party’s candidate for the Hexham constituency in 17 Upper Ramsey Walk, Canonbury, London N1 2RP; agardner@ssees. the 1959 general election. I am currently in the process of collating ac.uk. information on the different strands of Roberts’ life and political career. Any assistance at all would be much appreciated. John Reardon; The Liberal revival 1959–64. Focusing on both political and social [email protected]. factors. Any personal views, relevant information or original material from Liberal voters, councillors or activists of the time would be very Student at Warwick University. Particulary the files affair gratefully received. Holly Towell, 52a Cardigan Road, Headingley, Leeds in 1970. Interested in talking to anybody who has information about LS6 3BJ; [email protected]. Liberal Students at Warwick in the period 1965-70 and their role in campus politics. Ian Bradshaw, History Department, University of The rise of the Liberals in Richmond (Surrey) 1964–2002. Interested Warwick, CV4 7AL; [email protected] in hearing from former councillors, activists, supporters, opponents, with memories and insights concerning one of the most successful local Welsh Liberal Tradition – A History of the Liberal Party in organisations. What factors helped the Liberal Party rise from having no 1868–2003. Research spans thirteen decades of Liberal history in councillors in 1964 to 49 out of 52 seats in 1986? Any literature or news Wales but concentrates on the post-1966 formation of the Welsh cuttings from the period welcome. Ian Hunter, 9 Defoe Avenue, Kew, Federal Party. Any memories and information concerning the post- Richmond TW9 4DL; 07771 785 795; [email protected]. 1966 era or even before welcomed. The research is to be published in book form by Welsh Academic Press. Dr Russell Deacon, Centre for Liberal politics in Sussex, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight 1900– Humanities, University of Wales Institute Cardiff, Cyncoed Campus, 14. The study of electoral progress and subsequent disappointment. Cardiff CF23 6XD; [email protected]. Research includes comparisons of localised political trends, issues and preferred interests as aganst national trends. Any information, and Liberal internationalism and pacificism, specifically on Liberal candidates in the area in the two general elections 1900–22. A study of this radical and pacificist MP (Plymouth 1910; of 1910, would be most welcome. Family papers especially appreciated. North West Durham/Consett 1914–22) who was actively involved in Ian Ivatt, 84 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3JT; ianjivatt@ League of Nations Movement, Armenian nationalism, international tinyonline.co.uk. co-operation, pro-Boer etc. Any information relating to him and location of any papers/correspondence welcome. Barry Dackombe. 32 Liberals and the local government of London 1919–39. Chris Ashburnham Road, Ampthill, Beds, MK45 2RH; [email protected]. Fox, 173 Worplesdon Road, Guildford GU2 6XD; christopher.fox7@ virgin.net.

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