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Home , Cefnddwysarn, Llanfrothen, Margaret Lloyd George, Welsh Liberal Party

Lloyd George and the Carnarvon Boroughs, 1890–95

Dr J. Graham Jones examines the history of the Carnarvon Boroughs constituency when it was first represented by between 1890 and 1895.

26 Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 Lloyd George and the Carnarvon Boroughs, 1890–95

he anomalous Carnarvon had returned a MP to the House of entered the Liberal Cabinet of Sir district of Boroughs con- Commons ever since the passage Henry Campbell-Bannerman as Tstituency, distributed of the union legislation by Henry President of the Board of Trade, a widely over some twenty-five VIII in 1536, but the borough of position which certainly augured miles in remote north-west , Bangor was not added to the other well for the future political career comprised six scattered contribu- five until the redistribution of par- progression of its holder. In all tory boroughs. The voters in each liamentary constituencies which the intervening general elections, participating borough cast bal- had accompanied the passage of the outcome in the Boroughs was lots, which were added together the Great Reform Act in 1832. Tra- uncertain and keenly debated.2 over the whole district to decide ditionally many of the electorate At Bangor in particular there was the result of the poll. The three of the Carnarvon Boroughs had a distinctive Anglican interest largest – Bangor, Caernarvon comprised shopkeepers and trades- closely associated with the cathe- and Conway (which included the men, innately middle-of-the-road dral, indigenously Conservative then rapidly developing town of conservative (even if not Conserva- politically, and a large number of Llandudno) – all in the north of tive) by nature, displaying but little urban slum-dwellers whose very the county, included a signifi- zeal for radical initiatives and social existence depended on the support cant middle-class element in their reform impulses. of church charities. At electorates; while the remainder Lloyd George first captured the and Conway, too, local Conserva- – (Lloyd George’s home division for the Liberals by a wafer- tive strength had been underlined borough), Nevin and in thin majority of just eighteen votes in recent municipal elections. the south – were much more rural in a precarious and unexpected by- When Lloyd George first and agrarian in character and dis- election in April 1890, his success entered parliament, his constitu- tinctively Welsh-speaking, and highly dependent on substantial ency was already something of were thus more natural Liberal ter- polls in the three Welsh boroughs.1 an anomaly as it had a population ritory. The castle borough of Caer- The constituency had actually been of no more than 30,000 (at a time narfon lay very much at the heart won by a Conservative, Edmund when the average for Welsh con- of the constituency, but inevitably Swetenham, in the general elec- stituencies exceeded 45,000 indi- the division lacked any kind of ter- Left: Carnarvon tion of 1886, the result of some local viduals), and an electorate of less ritorial cohesion, as all six boroughs Castle, antagonism towards Irish home than 5,000, many of these ‘sober’ were separated from one another photographed rule, and the failure of the rural shopkeepers and professional men by substantial tracts of agricul- by Francis Frith vote to turn out in full in support with no great inclination to radical- tural land and by towns which had (1822–98) in the of Gladstone, disappointed by lack ism. Some English constituencies been established more recently like mid-nineteenth of progress on the ‘unauthorised had an even smaller electorate at with its port trade, century (1850s– programme’. Lloyd George did not this time; others had an electorate railway terminus and distinctly 1870s). (© win a majority of the votes in all well in excess of 10,000 individu- more industrial character than the Victoria and six boroughs until 1906 by which als. It was also true that a signifi- other towns within the constitu- Albert Museum, time he was very much a national cant number of householders who ency. The Carnarvon Boroughs ) political figure and had already had been enfranchised by the Third

Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 27 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95

Reform Act of 1884 were simply ‘There are Breaches of the law at the expense summer of 1887, Lloyd George tak- unaware of their newfound right of landlords, notably petty theft ing full advantage of the hiring to be registered as voters. A large two or three and poaching, or the established fairs at Llyn to arrange impromptu number of obstacles and technicali- church were considered acts of meetings to stir up local agita- ties, especially in relation to reg- impressions political defiance in rural Wales. tion by making highly eloquent istration, still stood in the way of Although he was primarily inter- and impassioned speeches. Tithes complete male suffrage. Indeed, I must be ested in the Carnarvon Boroughs, were traditional payments which in the year 1891 no more than 33.7 Lloyd George had actually come entitled the Church to a tenth of per cent of the male population of careful to close to selection as the Liberal can- people’s annual income. Usually the Carnarvon Boroughs had the didate for in 1886, the payments were made in kind in right to vote. In the key borough of make in the but he had eventually gladly with- the form of crops, wool, milk and Caernarfon almost all of the elec- meantime. drawn his name there in favour of other produce, to represent a tenth torate, a total of 1,746 individu- his close associate Thomas Edward of the yearly production. This pay- als, were the heads of families, and 1st & fore- Ellis, a native of Cefnddwysarn ment was demanded whether or not a tiny number of just fifteen men near Bala within the county, whose the parishioner attended Church, were registered there as service or most that I local claims clearly much exceeded and in a predominantly Noncon- lodger voters.3 Many of the work- his own. Moreover, in his heart formist country such as Wales, this ing classes there still remained dis- am a good of hearts, Lloyd George knew full naturally caused contention. Many enfranchised.4 Very shortly after well that his ‘pecuniary, oratorical refused to pay the tithe, and during Lloyd George had been adopted speaker. [and] intellectual quality’ were cer- the 1880s enforced sales of posses- as the parliamentary candidate tain to develop considerably during sions were made by the authorities there, Thomas Edward Ellis, the 2ndly that I the next few years so that he would, in order to collect the taxes owed. MP for Merioneth, wrote to con- by then, be far less likely to find This naturally led to confrontation gratulate him, ‘I was delighted to am a sound himself ‘in endless pecuniary dif- and farmers and authorities came to find that your choice was so unani- ficulties’, while at Westminster, he blows across the country. During mous’, and then urging him, above & thorough would possibly be regarded as even the late 1880s many farmers decided all else, to attend conscientiously ‘an object of contempt in a House of to take direct action and refused to to the electoral register which, he politician. snobs’.6 Lloyd George had also seri- pay their tithe. This led to further stressed, was ‘the great mine to work. ously considered joining Chamber- enforced sales of land and property Do not be satisfied till all the [Car- 3rdly that I lain’s Radical Union in June 1886, and violent protests took place in narvon] Boroughs realise its impor- but had apparently missed his train Llangwm in May 1887, Mochdre tance’.5 These were very wise words can afford to Birmingham on the crucial day.7 in June 1887 and Llanefydd in May which the youthful Lloyd George to attend to During the general election of 1888. would undoubtedly have heeded. July 1886, Lloyd George was to On 4 September Lloyd George It should be noted, too, that the parliamen- campaign with gusto on behalf of wrote in his pocket diary: Caernarvon county constituency his newfound friend T. E. Ellis, and had been divided into South Caer- tary duties.’ indeed earned a formidable repu- Got an invitation this morn- narvonshire (Eifion) and North tation as a fiery young orator and ing. I want to cultivate boroughs Caernarfonshire (Arfon) in the potential career politician, a pos- as, if the Unionist Govt holds redistribution of 1885, both hav- sible Liberal parliamentary can- together another 3 years, I may ing a population in excess of 42,000 didate for one of the divisions in stand a good chance to be nomi- individuals. north-west Wales at the next gen- nated as Liberal candidate. There By January 1885 Lloyd George, eral election which was then widely are two or three impressions I admitted as a qualified solicitor at expected to take place in 1892 (as, must be careful to make in the the beginning of the previous year, of course, happened). His local meantime. 1st & foremost that I had set up his own solicitor’s busi- standing was further enhanced by am a good speaker. 2ndly that I ness in an office at Portmadoc, later his avid and committed participa- am a sound & thorough politi- to be called Porthmadog (and thus tion in the anti-tithe agitation in cian. 3rdly that I can afford to breaking away from the Whig- south Caernarfonshire in 1886–87 attend to parliamentary duties. like clutches of the legal company in his home area where he was sin- To succeed in the first I must Breese, Jones and Casson, where gled out by the local Tory press as avail myself of every opportu- he had served his articles), and he the primary instigator of the trou- nity to speak in public so as to soon found to his intense delight ble.8 He was active in the establish- perfect myself & attain some that much of his legal work related ment of the local anti-tithe league reputation as a speaker. To suc- to political issues. He clearly sought for Llyn and Eifionydd of which he ceed in the 2nd point I must put much greater financial and politi- soon became joint-secretary.9 Dur- into those speeches good sound cal independence at this time. Lloyd ing these years, too, he delivered a matter well arranged so as to George had quickly become a succession of belligerent speeches catch the year [sic] of the intel- familiar figure in the police courts on the key issues of the disestab- ligent who always lead & gain and the county courts of Porth- lishment of the Welsh church, the the name of sound as well as madog, , Pwllheli and land campaign, temperance, and fluent speaker. I must also write , where he was generally other equally controversial politi- political articles on Welsh poli- highly regarded as a quick-witted, cal themes, all of which enhanced tics so as to show my mastery of sharp-tongued, contentious advo- his local standing and reputa- them. To attain the 3rd reputa- cate, fully capable of mastering a tion. The Tithe War indeed blazed tion I must (1) attend to my busi- brief very quickly and completely. in north Wales during the high ness well so as to build up a good

28 Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95

practice (2) practise economy so as a flourishing branch of the Prim- that led to his adoption as the Lib- as to accumulate some measure rose League, an important Tory eral candidate for the Carnarvon of wealth (3) Get all my cases organisation.12 Lloyd George deliv- Boroughs on 20 December 1888. well advertised (4) subscribe ered a pungent series of carefully The cause of the tenant farmer and judiciously.10 prepared speeches in the small rural quarryman had been decisively villages outside Caernarfon, was championed, and Lloyd George’s This is the first clear intimation of a notably well received, and thus supreme self-confidence buoyed up definite interest on Lloyd George’s built up substantial support for the even further to such an extent that part in the Liberal candidature for new Liberal club in the town. At he could now convince himself that the Caernarfon Boroughs. one such meeting in July 1888, the he could both make a success of his In January 1888 Lloyd George highly impressed chairman hailed law practice and also become a Lib- also joined forces with journalist Lloyd George as ‘one of the stars of eral parliamentary candidate. The D. R. Daniel to set up a pioneer- the future’.13 He was ever ready to timing of the Llanfrothen case had ing Welsh newspaper by the name leave Criccieth at weekends during also augured well for the career of of Udgorn Rhyddid (‘the Trumpet 1888 to organise and address such the ambitious young Welsh attor- of Freedom’) – ‘a nationalist and meetings at local chapels on Sun- ney; his prowess as an advocate had Socialist regenerator’ he himself day mornings, where he frequently been underlined and publicised, called it11 – designed to promote lectured on the evils of drink – as a building on his reputation as an radical principles and cultivate his kind of sequel to a political meeting orator of distinction. The local Lib- reputation in the south of Caer- on the previous Saturday evening. eral associations of the three south- narfonshire, but its influence soon His uncle Richard Lloyd, who nat- ern boroughs of Nevin, Pwllheli proved to be localised and nota- urally felt deeply aggrieved that his and Criccieth were only too glad bly transient. The new paper was nephew was absenting himself from to endorse Lloyd George’s nomi- launched at Pwllheli, the area’s the Sunday services at the chapel nation as a parliamentary candi- main publishing base. By this at Criccieth, felt impelled to note date, but much greater reluctance time Lloyd George (having wisely in his diary, ‘Don’t believe in his Above all prevailed at the cathedral city of given up any hope of contesting Saturday and Sunday off policy’.14 Bangor, which included an extra- John Bryn Roberts, the securely On 24 August 1888, Lloyd George, else, it was large number of Church people, entrenched, highly orthodox, then visiting Glasgow with his wife and the rather Anglicised resort Gladstonian loyalist Liberal MP for Margaret, was able to write home the notable town of Conway, where many the Eifion [Carnarvonshire South] gleefully to the family at Criccieth: local Liberals disapproved of Lloyd constituency, and soon expected to Llanfrothen George’s extreme youth, his obvi- be called to the bar from Lincoln’s Received a telegram from Mor- ous blinding ambition to succeed, Inn) had determined to devote his gan Richards this morning that legal case and his apparent support of so- prodigious energies into secur- I had been unanimously selected which pro- called ‘Socialist ideas’, left-wing ing the Liberal nomination for at Bangor last night. He also initiatives unacceptable to the more the marginal division of the Car- wrote me that my speech had pelled Lloyd staid, middle-of-the-road, tra- narvon Boroughs, and the paper made a very favourable impres- ditional Liberals in the locality.17 had helped him to build his repu- sion. I could quite see for myself George to But his striking success in connec- tation locally. Aware that success at the Monday evening meeting tion with the Llanfrothen case had was nigh on assured for him in the that I was the popular candidate. the notice of helped to convince the disaffected Liberal associations of Criccieth, Despite all the machinations of of the strength of his claims and Pwllheli and , as was indeed my enemies, I will succeed. I am these locali- had impressed Nonconformists by confirmed by the backing of these now sailing before the wind and establishing him as ‘the scourge of local associations by the high sum- they against it.15 ties, clearly the Established Church’, and on 20 mer of 1888, Lloyd George then December 1888 (within just days of focused his burgeoning political Above all else, it was the notable establishing the triumphant outcome of the Lla- energies on the borough of Caer- Llanfrothen legal case which pro- nfrothen burial case) David Lloyd narfon where he established a new pelled Lloyd George to the notice of him as a firm George was thus officially selected Liberal club. His aim was to coun- these localities, clearly establishing as the parliamentary candidate of terbalance the deep-rooted, exten- him as a firm defender of the rights defender of the Carnarvon Boroughs Central sive influence of the Conservative of Nonconformists against the Liberal Association. During the club in the town, with all the social entrenched power of the Church the rights long campaign to secure the nomi- opportunities which it presented of England.16 He won on appeal to nation he had been proud to label to its members, which he knew the Divisional Court of Queen’s of Noncon- himself ‘a Welsh nationalist of the was the focal point of the party’s Bench the Llanfrothen burial case; formists Ellis type’.18 strength in the borough. Indeed, this established the right of Non- His selection could be attributed by the year 1889 all six boroughs conformists to be buried according against the to the fact that he was a local man, had influential Conservative clubs. to their own denominational rites one who certainly had the person- Within the borough of Bangor in parish burial grounds, a right entrenched ality and the capacity to fight a par- there were three independent Con- given by the Burial Act 1880 that liamentary election, and one whose servative clubs – the Caernarfon- had up to then been ignored by the power of the distinctive brand of progressive shire and Anglesey Conservative Anglican clergy. It was this case, Liberalism and Welsh nationalism Club, the Bangor Conservative which was hailed as a great victory Church of was increasingly capturing the pub- Workingmen’s Club, and the Gla- throughout Wales, together with lic imagination in the locality. His nadda Conservative Club, as well his writings in Udgorn Rhyddid, England. recent success in the Llanfrothen

Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 29 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95 case meant that, by the high sum- hard-hitting addresses in support of not cut out for parish-pump poli- mer of 1888, Lloyd George was a radical Liberal candidates, many of tics: he craved a political career on a household name, not only in Caer- whom had supported his campaign far higher plane – the coveted green narfonshire, but throughout much to be selected as the parliamentary benches at Westminster. of Wales. His main rival for the candidate for the Boroughs. Inter- The prospect of a seat at West- selection, Arthur C. Humphreys- estingly, it was at this time that he minster in fact came much earlier Owen (who was later to serve as the first shared a political platform with than anyone had anticipated. Only Liberal MP for Montgomeryshire Arthur Acland, the Liberal MP for fifteen short months separated from 1894 until 1905), had called Rotherham who owned a prop- Lloyd George’s selection and the Lloyd George nothing but ‘a sec- erty at Clynnog in Caernarfon- April 1890 by-election campaign. ond rate country attorney’. The shire and had already displayed a The sudden death of Edmund MP for the North Caernarvonshire profound interest in Welsh politi- Swetenham QC on 19 March 1890 county division of Arfon (Wil- cal issues. Shortly afterwards, in came as a huge shock to Lloyd liam Rathbone) thought that Lloyd recognition of his important con- George and his wife (who were on George’s nomination would lead tribution during the local election the point of departing on a short to the loss of the seat.19 At the time campaign, Lloyd George became an holiday when they heard the stag- of his selection both Lloyd George alderman of the Caernarvonshire gering news). In 1940, after her hus- and his young bride Margaret, who County Council, a position which band had represented the Boroughs certainly possessed no great enthu- he was then to retain for the rest of for a full half century, Dame Mar- siasm to see her husband elected to his long life. Acland was also cho- garet, only months before her own parliament at this juncture, natu- sen an alderman of the local county death, reflected, ‘I thought I was rally assumed that the next parlia- council at the same time and was marrying a Caernarvonshire law- mentary election in the division indeed to deliver several power- yer. Some people even then said he would take place several years in ful speeches in support of Lloyd was sure to get on, but it was success the future, probably at some point George’s candidature during the as a lawyer that they had in mind. I during 1892. April 1890 by-election campaign.20 am sure neither of us guessed then In the meantime the implemen- Lloyd George’s local esteem and Old cottage what lay before us. Even when he tation of the Local Government Act popularity grew apace as a result of near Carnarvon, accepted nomination as the Liberal of 1888 meant that the first county his addresses to the county council photographed candidate for the Caernarvon Bor- council elections were convened the and even more so in consequence by Francis Frith oughs it did not seem to make any following January. Lloyd George, of his activities in the Caernarvon- (1822–98) in the particular difference. I comforted invited to stand in Caernarfonshire, shire County Magistrates’ Court. mid-nineteenth myself that the general election was declined to do so, but he was much Both spheres of activity gave him century (1850s– two years distant and that we had in evidence during the local elec- the publicity that he desperately 1870s). (© those two years in which to enjoy tion campaign, touring the exten- needed and craved. But the out- Victoria and ourselves’.21 Swetenham’s untimely sive county from end to end, and standingly able and ambitious Albert Museum, death propelled the Carnarvon delivering a succession of effective, David Lloyd George was obviously London) Boroughs into a wholly unexpected

30 Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95 by-election campaign which saw The by-elec- duly approved by the venerable benefits to the area. The squire of ‘the boy alderman’ sent to parlia- Gladstone. The omens were far was contesting the ment as ‘the boy MP’ by a mere tion margin from favourable for Lloyd George. seat against the upstart nephew of hair’s breadth. But he had batted on His status in the constituency had Richard Lloyd, the respected shoe- a distinctly auspicious wicket, as was so fine certainly been weakened by his maker and impressive autodidact of he knew the Carnarvon Boroughs audacious attacks on the elders of Llanystumdwy, but Lloyd George like the back of his hand: he was a that a local the Liberal Party, the local party at least was highly articulate and native of one of them – Criccieth machinery remained weak and persuasive in both languages. At – and he had already formed exten- Tory news- voter registration had still been the eleventh hour local Liberals sive professional and political links neglected. The age of the automo- had amassed the princely sum of with all five others. A rich local paper could bile had not yet dawned, and the some £200 which they estimated Methodist also gave him substan- claim rather constituency was scattered across was what was required to wage the tial financial support. He enjoyed, some twenty-five miles, which campaign, and, sensing the pros- too, the avid backing of two of the spuriously led to intense difficulties for party pect of the victory which they so most influential political figures canvassers. Lloyd George and his ardently desired, a number of fel- in north Wales, the Revd Herber that Lloyd supporters dashed around the key low-lawyers at Bangor and Caer- Evans (by now Lloyd George’s col- towns by train, horse carriage, and narfon readily agreed to offer their league on the local county coun- George’s vic- on foot, visiting remote cottages services wholly free of charge as cil), and the redoubtable veteran and farmsteads some of which had election agents and sub-agents. Thomas Gee, the Denbigh-based tory could never before been approached per- Indeed, the by-election margin seventy-four-year-old editor and sonally by an electioneering politi- was so fine that a local Tory news- publisher of Baner ac Amserau Cymru be attrib- cian, eagerly shaking the hands of paper could claim rather spuriously [‘the Banner and Times of Wales’], the voters, new and old alike, and that Lloyd George’s victory could at the time by far the most widely uted only dishing out election leaflets and be attributed only to the fact that a read newspaper. yellow rosettes. The height of the number of fishermen from the bor- In the words of Herbert du Parcq, to the fact by-election campaign had coin- ough of Nefyn, all of them devout ‘Though advanced in age, [Thomas cided with the Easter holidays, not Conservatives, had been prevented Gee] was still fresh enough in that a num- the best time to engage in political from reaching port and casting his mind to adjudge the creed of canvassing. The local Conservative their votes by extremely inclement the “boy Alderman” healthy and ber of fish- organisation, in striking contrast, weather on the polling days.26 The sound. … He sympathised with the was much more efficient and profes- Times newspaper, which had taken aspirations of the Welsh Nation- ermen from sional, possessed greater resources an avid interest throughout the alists’. 22 Having questioned Lloyd the borough and was blessed with a substantial frenzied course of the campaign, George thoroughly on the tithe squad of campaign workers. now admitted that it was ‘annoy- question, the need to secure the of Nefyn, Yet, in spite of all these formi- ing’ to reflect that just ten votes freedom of the rivers, and the dable difficulties, after a short cam- differently cast would have made urgent necessity to reform the all of them paign conducted at fever pitch and all the difference to the outcome.27 land laws (to which question Lloyd attracting interest and speculation Lloyd George’s very narrow success George had replied unhesitatingly, devout Con- throughout Britain, Lloyd George could be attributed to solid Liberal ‘I am very strong on that point’), was elected, following recount polls in the three Welsh boroughs Gee had exuberantly declared servatives, after recount at the insistence of the which, following ‘exceptionally the radical young candidate to be Tories, by a majority of no more heavy’ voting, had just about out- ‘thoroughly healthy in the faith’.23 had been than eighteen votes out of 3,908 weighed the votes of the middle- To some extent Swetenham’s vic- cast: 1,963 votes for Lloyd George, class Tories and Liberal Unionists of tory in the Boroughs back in 1886 prevented and 1,945 for local squire Ellis Nan- Bangor, Conway and Caernarfon.28 had been viewed as something of a ney, his Conservative opponent.25 Indeed, the exceptional turnout of fluke, and some believed that there from reach- Nanney was a popular figure 89.5 per cent (an increase of 11.2 per was still a majority of some 300 locally, hailed for his friendly dis- cent since 1886) was the highest ever committed Liberal voters in the ing port and position and reputation for much in the history of the constituency, division.24 lavish philanthropy in the locality, a total of 404 votes greater than in During the by-election cam- casting their but his health was poor and he was the general election of 1886. Both paign Lloyd George advocated, a rather reluctant candidate, cajoled candidates had scored the high- albeit with studious moderation, votes by to stand only after several more est ever polls for their respective Welsh home rule, disestablishment, extremely promising local Tory aspirants had parties in the division.29 This was land reform and temperance legis- declined the honour. His oratori- indeed to be for Lloyd George the lation, as well as ‘Mr. Gladstone’s inclement cal prowess was poor, and he was first of an unbroken series of four- noble policy of justice for Ireland’, unable to address campaign meet- teen electoral triumphs in the same the necessary ritual genuflection, weather on ings in the Welsh language. He had parliamentary division. Had Lloyd while his one truly radical sugges- previously contested the county George not won through in April tion was a proposal that ground the polling seat of Caernarvonshire in 1880 and 1890, it is possible that he could well rents should be taxed. The neces- Eifion in 1885. The local newspaper have been consigned thereafter to sity for the introduction of a gradu- days. Yr Herald Cymraeg, which tended a backwater career far removed ated system of taxation received to be at best lukewarm towards from the green benches at West- no more than a passing reference Lloyd George’s candidature, sug- minster, for he had already made in his election address. The con- gested that Nanney’s success was enemies within the Liberal Party. tents of his election address were sure to bring distinct economic As it was, the career of a truly great

Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 31 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95 parliamentarian had been forged, the pressing demands of Wales and Nanney had been in April 1890, and his victory was hailed at once as he pressed both at Westminster and was Sir John Puleston, personally ‘a gain for the Gladstonian Liberal in the country at large for the pro- highly regarded and well known Party’.30 gramme of reforms which he had in the locality, whose status at Lloyd George, the self-styled advocated, albeit rather cautiously, Caernarfon at least had been much ‘Man of Destiny’ whose hour had during the by-election campaign. enhanced by his recent appoint- now struck two years earlier than Lloyd George’s personal prob- ment as the constable of the local expected, thus first entered par- lems were formidable. His innate castle. Aware that the forthcoming liament as one of a cohort of new sympathy for the ruined Charles contest might well be extremely Liberal members from Wales, all Stewart Parnell (whose fall at the finely balanced, Lloyd George had, returned between 1888 and 1890: end of 1890 had greatly unnerved during the early months of 1892, David Randell in Gower, D. A. Lloyd George) was, in part at least, made a determined effort to focus Thomas and W. Pritchard Mor- a reflection of his own awareness of on issues of local importance likely gan in Merthyr Tydfil, John Lloyd the potential disaster awaiting him to reflect credit on him personally Morgan and Abel Thomas in West if one of his numerous extramari- – harbours and fisheries, railway and East Carmarthen, and S. T. tal affairs should erupt into scandal. rates, and slate royalties. The Lib- Evans in Mid-Glamorgan. All He received no salary as an MP, and eral organisation in the Carnarvon the new members were relatively he was thus forced to depend almost Boroughs went to great lengths to young, most were barristers or totally on the profits of the family streamline the local campaign, and solicitors (D. A. Thomas was an legal practice, Lloyd George and each individual contributory bor- industrialist), almost all had been George, to which he himself con- ough was canvassed thoroughly born in Wales (Lloyd George, While Lloyd tributed only during parliamentary during the weeks preceding the born in Manchester, was a bizarre recesses. Indeed, on more than one poll.35 Once the Clergy Discipline exception), and all were, at least by George’s occasion, he seriously considered Bill had received its third read- origins, Nonconformists. Their abandoning his promising politi- ing, Lloyd George left London for election to Westminster marked a personal cal career to resume full-time legal his constituency, and, from the notable step in the erosion of the work as a solicitor or else to apply second week of June, he launched older landed element in Welsh par- electioneer- to the Bar. When, in the spring of himself into an exhausting round liamentary Liberalism as they were 1892, the Salisbury government of election meetings and canvass- depicted as a group of resurgent ing activi- introduced the Clergy Discipline ing programmes, primarily within and militant radical nationalist Bill to facilitate the removal of dis- the key marginal towns of Ban- politicians.31 ties were honest and immoral Anglican cler- gor, Caernarfon and Conwy. The David Lloyd George, who took gymen, Lloyd George determined main thrust of his speeches was his seat at Westminster on 17 April mainly con- to fight the measure on the grounds that the Conservative govern- 1890 (introduced by Stuart Rendel fined to the that its passage would only serve ment, and his own party to a lesser and Arthur Acland), soon became to fortify the position of the Welsh extent, were devoting overmuch a hard-working constituency MP, three highly Church and thus delay the prospect attention to the Irish question at and made his maiden speech in of disestablishment. He moved a the expense of other pressing prob- mid-June on the familiar, well- precarious string of amendments and forced lems.36 His public utterances were worn theme of temperance. At the House into twenty-one divi- buttressed by actions designed to the same time he made important northern sions at report stage. His energetic reflect favourably on his standing contacts within his party, proved railing against the measure in the in the local . In Janu- himself to be a radical of distinctive boroughs, Commons incurred the wrath of ary he had fought unflinchingly style and outlook, and he was much Gladstone and other senior Liberals to defeat a private railway rate bill in demand as an eloquent plat- his wife Mag- as he insisted that the grievances of likely to affect adversely the for- form performer. He scored espe- Wales should be settled. When his tunes of the slate quarry; in cially impressive performances in gie spared first parliament drew to a close, the February he had protested against the Commons in leading, together young Member for the Carnarvon the appointment of a monoglot with Samuel T. Evans, Mid-Glam- no effort to Boroughs had indeed acquired ‘a English-speaking judge, with no organ, his party’s opposition to newsworthy reputation as firebrand Welsh, to Caernarfon; and in April the Tithe Recovery Bill in Febru- canvass at and spellbinder, polemicist and he had proposed legislation to open ary 1891, and in helping to carry iconoclast’.32 He was already known private streams to public fishing.37 a second reading for a Welsh Veto Nevin and as the representative of ‘the New While Lloyd George’s per- Bill in March. From the very out- Wales’ and sometimes ‘The Parnell sonal electioneering activities were set Lloyd George did not confine her native of Wales’.33 mainly confined to the three highly his parliamentary activities to his Criccieth, As general election year – 1892 precarious northern boroughs, his parliamentary division. He became – dawned, the next election in the wife Maggie spared no effort to closely associated with the activi- where her Carnarvon Boroughs was widely canvass at Nevin and her native ties of both the Liberation Society viewed as ‘one of the keenest con- Criccieth, where her family was and the Alliance. family was tests in the whole of Wales’, The well known and highly respected. From the time of his first election to Times leader writer venturing the Her parents, Richard and Mary the Commons until the dissolution well known opinion, ‘I shall be surprised if the Owen of Mynydd Ednyfed Fawr, of parliament in June 1892, Lloyd verdict of the bye-election is not Criccieth, were most influential in George railed relentlessly against and highly reversed’.34 Now the Conserva- the locality, where her father, a sub- the alleged reluctance of the Salis- tive candidate, potentially a more stantial, prosperous tenant farmer, bury administration to deal with respected. formidable opponent than Ellis was also a highly respected elder

32 Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95

and pillar of Berea, the local Cal- George to his uncle and mentor David Lloyd Liberals.42 The forecast of the North vinistic Methodist chapel. Lloyd Richard Lloyd.39 Inevitably, the George Wales Observer was, however, nota- George’s younger brother Wil- influence of the Nonconformist (1863–1945), bly sensible: liam also eagerly served as an ener- denominations was all-powerful photographed getic election sub-agent, although within the boroughs, although by John Though to prophesy is a hazard- he was undoubtedly also severely by no means did Nonconformity Thomas (1838– ous task, yet we feel sure that if hard pressed by his brother’s con- present a united front, and local 1905), c. 1885 only the Liberals in the north- tinual absences from the office of politics was invariably dogged by a (phot0graph ern part of the constituency will Lloyd George and George, solici- sectarian jealousy which penetrated reproduced by adhere to their traditions with as tors, because of the ever spiralling deep into the community. Lloyd kind permission much tenacity and earnestness as demands of his political career. George, originally a fervent Camp- of the National their friends in the southern bor- William George wrote in his diary bellite Baptist whose early religious Library of Wales) oughs, the party would not have on Easter Monday, 7 April 1890: faith was somewhat on the wane the slightest fear that they will by this time, had long been mis- achieve a great victory when the We are in the thick of the fight. trusted by a Calvinistic Methodist day of battle dawns.43 Personal rather than party feel- faction led by the Revd Evan Jones. ing runs high. The Tories began Although Jones was won over to Although the paper detected that by ridiculing Lloyd George’s support Lloyd George in 1892 and ‘things’ were ‘a little mixed’ at candidature; they have now indeed spoke on his behalf during Nefyn, it sensed ‘strong hopes’ of changed their tune. Each party the election campaign,40 the atti- Liberal success at Criccieth and looks upon it as a stiff fight. tude of local Methodists remained ‘not the shadow of a doubt’ at … The main issue is between a perpetual bogey threatening to Pwllheli.44 Sir John Puleston had county squire and upstart deprive the young MP of his seat.41 chosen Conwy as his campaign democrat.38 After the results of the local headquarters, displaying a ‘judi- government elections in the pre- cious appreciation’ of what was ‘I must honestly admit that I vious March, Lloyd George had believed to be ‘the key of the situa- am not at all sanguine about the voiced his very real concern to his tion’, and where he was to discover result. … The other side are bring- brother – ‘With the exception [of] ‘congenial society’.45 Disestablish- ing unheard of pressure to bear Criccieth & Pwllheli they are all ment was accorded the first place upon the electors’, confided Lloyd eminently unsatisfactory’ for the in Lloyd George’s 1892 general

Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 33 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95 election address and in his cam- Cymru Fydd movement. Founded ‘The Execu- touching little speeches as to the paign speeches, with other Welsh in 1886 by some of the London ‘love’ felt for me by everyone issues well to the fore. By now he Welsh, including J. E. Lloyd, O. M. tive passed & that no one could carry the had the advantage of two years’ Edwards, T. E. Ellis (the nominal boroughs except me although experience as the sitting MP for leader of the movement, and the off very well I had gone wrong. They then the Boroughs, he was the benefi- MP for Merioneth, 1886–1899), determined to consult the local ciary of an enviable reputation for Beriah Gwynfe Evans and Alfred this after- leaders at each of their boroughs his prominent, belligerent role in Thomas, Cymru Fydd was intended & get a meeting soon. I think it parliament since April 1890, and he to fulfil several roles, some of noon. I told will be alright.48 was appreciated by electors in the which were perhaps contradictory: area for his record of an avid inter- it sought to be the Welsh expres- them that When the next general election est in issues of crucial importance sion of the Liberal Party, to further I could not took place in July 1895 following locally. He benefited, too, from his an awareness of Welsh national- the collapse of the unpopular Rose- sponsorship of a new Caernarfon ity, and to advance the cause of afford to pay bery administration, Lloyd George based press combine, the Welsh limited Welsh devolution. In the was soon unnerved by local conjec- National Press Co. Ltd, and he had 1890s it also became the vehicle any more ture that his electoral fate was now the support of an efficient new elec- for the personal ambition of Lloyd to ‘be out by 30’ votes.49 tion agent in R. O. Roberts. The George who made tireless efforts election But the local Conservatives’ services of the generally inefficient to ensure that the Liberal politics of curious selection of the defeated J. T. Roberts, whose contribu- Wales had a stronger Welsh iden- expenses 1890 by-election candidate local tion had been distinctly lacklustre tity. His aim was to take over the squire H. J. Ellis Nanney to stand in during the 1890 by-election cam- Liberal Federations of North and as elections the Boroughs again enhanced Lloyd paign, were summarily dispensed South Wales in order to promote George’s prospects there, especially with – evidence of Lloyd George’s Welsh home rule. The movement were com- as by this time he had more than early ability ruthlessly to cast aside lost some of its impetus follow- five years’ experience as an estab- incompetent political colleagues, a ing the withdrawal of T. E. Ellis to ing on so lished parliamentarian. But his per- skill later finely honed to become join the Gladstone government as sonal financial difficulties remained much in evidence during the Great its junior whip in 1892, after which frequently a perpetual bogey, threatening to War in relation to both government the leadership of the movement was deprive Lloyd George of his hard- ministers and military leaders. taken over by Lloyd George and & so I placed earned seat. At the end of May, Lloyd George’s very real fears J. Herbert Lewis (MP for the Flint Caernarfon solicitor R. D. Wil- proved groundless, for he suc- Boroughs). In consequence, Cymru my resigna- liams, who served as secretary to ceeded in increasing his majority Fydd was then relaunched on a nar- tion in the both the Carnarvon Boroughs and to 196 votes, a more impressive and rower, more political basis. the Arfon (North Caernarvonshire) secure margin: Within the Liberal organisa- hands of the local Liberal Associations, wrote tion in the Carnarvon Boroughs, bluntly to Lloyd George: D. Lloyd George – financial problems were pressing. Association. Liberal 2,154 Lloyd George, by no means a rich I am sorry to say that it is quite Sir John Puleston – man and one who received no par- They were impossible to carry out the work Conservative 1,958 liamentary salary at this point, had in a really efficient state with incurred personal expenses of no quite dumb- the sum you offer. … As I men- His total vote of 2,154 was again a less than £338-5s-8½d during the tioned to you, my salary has not new record in the chequered his- 1892 general election campaign. founded …’ been paid for over 12 months, tory of the small constituency. Even When all the bills had been set- and I have for years done the so, his majority of just 196 votes tled, an overdraft of some £220 still work of secretary, for £5 a year was the smallest of all the Liberal remained.47 Lloyd George’s per- (which is never paid in full).50 MPs returned in north Wales, and sonal financial position remained almost the smallest Liberal major- precarious, causing him seriously In the light of Lloyd George’s pre- ity in the whole of Wales.46 Car- to consider retiring from political cipitate conduct during the closing narvon Boroughs remained perhaps life. Indeed this was a step which stages of the Rosebery adminis- the most marginal Liberal seat he almost took in July 1894. As he tration, it was an easy task for the throughout the Principality. The explained to his wife: local Tory press to condemn him future was still uncertain within relentlessly as ‘the spokesman of the parliamentary division, but the The Executive passed off very the wildest and most revolution- narrowness of the Liberal victory at well this afternoon. I told them ary proposals, and his escapades Westminster – there was an overall that I could not afford to pay in the House of Commons have Liberal majority of just forty seats any more election expenses as filled his moderate supporters with as the ageing Gladstone formed his elections were coming on so alarm and disgust, whilst they have fourth and last ministry – gave an frequently & so I placed my raised the indignation of English enhanced status and potential clout resignation in the hands of the Radicals’.51 ‘The time has come’, it to the Liberal representatives from Association. They were quite went on, ‘when the electors of Car- Wales, among whom Lloyd George dumbfounded & two or three narvon Boroughs should take steps was already viewed as a leading men who were strongly opposed to be represented by one who is not tribune. But, at this early stage in to my later tactics – Dr. Price, the laughing stock of the whole his parliamentary career, his ener- Henry Owen & John Jones of the United Kingdom’.52 With gies were devoted mainly to the – they got up & made very the succession of the imperialist

34 Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95 aristocrat Lord Rosebery as Prime precarious and difficult of all the than the broad-based appeal of Minister after Gladstone’s resig- Boroughs for Lloyd George, tipped Liberal Unionism. After all, only nation in 1894, Lloyd George had the balance in his favour. As the one Liberal Unionist parliamen- readily joined three other Welsh Liberals had lost six seats in Wales tary candidate – namely Sir John Liberal MPs, J. Herbert Lewis (Flint in 1895, and many party candidates Jones Jenkins in the Carmarthen Boroughs) and Frank Edwards had gone down to defeat through- District of Boroughs in the gen- (Radnorshire), and D. A. Thomas out the realm, Lloyd George’s suc- eral election of July–August 1895 (Merthyr Tydfil) (later Lord cess was all the more striking as it – ever captured a Welsh division, Rhondda), in a short-term revolt ran contrary to the national trend, a and even then by the tiny margin of against the party whips. When a singular personal triumph. only fifty-two votes. But, with the Welsh Disestablishment Bill had In the spring of 1890 a proud passing of the years, and as Lloyd come before the Commons in May Lloyd George had been in the George established himself ever 1895, Lloyd George had engaged in happy position of being able to more firmly at Westminster as a complex manoeuvres to try to get turn down the offer of a public politician of some standing, many a form of Welsh home rule tacked fund to cover his recent by-election of his constituents were undoubt- on to the disendowment parts of expenses, which had amounted to a edly proud of their MP as a national the measure. When the government considerable total of £250. There- politician of some standing, a ‘local resigned after defeat on the trivial after, however, in the general elec- boy made good’ par excellence who ‘cordite’ vote in June, there were tion campaigns of 1892, 1895 and had put the Carnarvon Boroughs those who blamed Lloyd George Throughout 1900, the Carnarvon Boroughs firmly on the political map. Given and his dodgy freelance activities. Liberal Association gladly raised the political conventions of the The Home Secretary responsible the period the resources required for the cam- 1890s, the rareness of his appear- for the Welsh Church Bill, Herbert paigns, an arrangement for which ances in the constituency were Asquith, believed Lloyd George to under consid- their MP was deeply grateful. From tolerated with equanimity, even be guilty of disloyalty and remem- 1906 onwards, he was in a position his well-known conspicuous lax- bered these events long after. Gen- eration, it is to contribute extensively himself to ity in dealing with correspondence erally it would be fair to say that his personal election expenses. embodying pleas for assistance. Lloyd George’s attitude towards striking that Throughout the period under Personal interviews were much Gladstone had been considerably consideration, it is striking that preferred by him to tedious letter warmer than towards Rosebery, Lloyd George Lloyd George and his camp made writing, and much of his personal mainly on the grounds that the for- almost no effort to exploit the novel postbag often went unopened, mer had Welsh roots and was far and his camp approaches to political organisation even more went unanswered. His more supportive of the concept of a that were being eagerly pioneered long absences from the constitu- distinct Welsh nationality and more made almost at this time by Joseph Chamber- ency were more than compensated ready to consider and to yield to no effort lain and his Birmingham-based for by the almost continuous pres- concerted Welsh demands. political ‘caucus’. The new means of ence of his devoted wife Margaret Lloyd George’s disquiet at the to exploit electioneering – among them post- at home, together with the Lloyd time of the 1895 general election is ers, pamphlets and flyers, and club- George children, a total of two sons again revealed in the words of his the novel based organisations – were all but and two daughters – Richard (b. brother, William, who confessed to ignored in the Carnarvon Boroughs 1889), Mair Eluned (b. 1890), Olwen his diary on the day of the election approaches in favour of retaining the tradi- Elizabeth (b. 1892) and Gwilym (b. count, ‘D., Maggie and I left Cric- tional tools of face-to-face canvass- 1894) – by 1894. At this time the cieth by the mail – 6 a.m. The jour- to political ing (always the favourite tack of family spent only a few short weeks ney was the most anxious time of Margaret Lloyd George throughout at London each year. Also it can- all. D. was very agitated poor chap. organisa- her frequently absentee husband’s not be denied that their MP was an The Tory reaction throughout the long political career), numerous effective ambassador at Westmin- country, and the Tory confidence tion that public speeches and an array of arti- ster for his constituents, constantly here, has made him feel depressed cles and columns in newspapers. It championing issues of key impor- and anxious. … I was convinced were being is indeed difficult to avoid the con- tance locally like foreshore rights [Ellis] Nanney was preparing his clusion that, at the end of the day, and harbour improvements and triumphant speech, but then his eagerly pio- Lloyd George’s election policies and communications. The interests of heart went down with a thud, his (ever finer) reputation were far local quarrymen, too, were pressed and his attitude was that of a man neered at more important in assisting him to by their dynamic young MP. The inwardly cursing and swearing till enlist the support of less promising electorates of this string of remote his heart bled’.53 But, in spite of a this time areas of his constituency than were little coastal towns consequently sharp swing to the Conservatives by Joseph the means of campaigning which he all warmed to the effective role of and the Liberal Unionists nation- employed there. Lloyd George in this capacity. ally, Lloyd George’s majority in Chamber- Lloyd George’s initial suc- But only gradually did his the Carnarvon Boroughs fell by cess in the April 1890 by-election position become more secure as a no more than four votes – to 192, lain and his could be attributed, in part at least, result of his innate personal acu- a considerable personal triumph to his firm emphasis on Welsh men and ability and growing pres- for him. The early ballot boxes Birmingham- nationalism and Welsh issues and tige in national politics, factors which had arrived for the count at to the resilience of the deeply which by 1906 had enabled him Caernarfon had indicated a clear based politi- entrenched Nonconformist tra- to win a majority in all six bor- majority for Nanney, but a crucial dition in the constituency which oughs, in the wake of his appoint- box from Bangor, by far the most cal ‘caucus’. carried much more weight locally ment to the Liberal Cabinet by

Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 35 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95

Campbell-Bannerman as Presi- 46.7 per cent in 1900. Only in 1906 Welsh Political Archive at the National dent of the Board of Trade in did their vote fall to 38.3 per cent Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. December 1905. Even as late as the and remained very similar in both ‘khaki’ general election of 1900, the general elections held in 1910.57 1 See Henry Pelling, Social Geography while Lloyd George had achieved When Lloyd George became of British Elections, 1885–1910 (Macmil- a majority vote in five boroughs, at the Prime Minister in December lan, 1967), pp. 351 and 356. Bangor his Conservative opponent, 1916, the Carnarvon Boroughs 2 Ibid., p. 351. the bumbling army Major Henry became the first everWelsh con- 3 Emyr Price, ‘Lloyd George and the Platt, by no means an impressive stituency to be represented by a by-election in the Carnarvon Bor- candidate, still polled 795 votes to serving Prime Minister. While all oughs’, Caernarvonshire Historical Soci- Lloyd George’s 716. Of the four the other contributory districts of ety Transactions, vol. xxxvi (1975), pp. wards at Bangor, Lloyd George had boroughs constituencies were abol- 140–42. polled a majority of the votes cast ished in the sweeping redistribution 4 R. Emyr Price, ‘Lloyd George’s in only one of these – the North of 1918, the Carnarvon Boroughs, Pre-parliamentary Political Career’, ward, where the votes were 263 then the seat of the Prime Minister unpublished University of Wales MA Liberal and 212 Conservative. As who was widely fêted at the time thesis, 1974, p. 198. late as 1900, his majority at Conwy as ‘the man who won the war’ so 5 T. E. Ellis to Lloyd George, 8 Jan. was no more than thirty, and at recently, was allowed to continue 1889, as cited in John Grigg, The Caernarfon just fifty-three votes.54 in existence, and in fact remained Young Lloyd George (Eyre Methuen, Although by this time he had repre- until 1950.58 In 1918 the constitu- 1973), p. 85, and in Herbert du Parcq, sented the Boroughs for a full dec- ency was redefined, so that it Life of David Lloyd George, vol. i (Cax- ade, the constituency still remained included the then local government ton Publishing Company Ltd., 1912), decidedly marginal, with the three areas of the Municipal Boroughs p. 97. northern boroughs still display- of Bangor, Caernarvon, Conway, 6 National Library of Wales (hereaf- ing strong Conservative support. and Pwllheli; the Urban Districts ter NLW), William George Papers Socially, linguistically and politi- of Criccieth, Llandudno, Llanfair- 1, diary entry for 20 June 1886, also cally, the Boroughs were by no fechan, and Penmaenmawr as well cited in William George, My Brother means a Liberal stronghold and as the Lleyn Rural District. There and I (Eyre and Spottiswode, 1958), p. stood in striking contrast to many is indeed something of an irony in 131. other north Wales constituencies the fact that David Lloyd George, 7 See J. Hugh Edwards, Life of David like the Eifion (South Caernarfon- the champion of democracy par Lloyd George, vol. ii (Waverley Book shire) division, thoroughly Welsh excellence, should have spent the Company, 1913), pp. 142–44. and Nonconformist, and devotedly whole of his political career repre- 8 Y Genedl Gymreig, 5 Jan. 1887; Gwa- true Liberal. senting a parliamentary constitu- lia, 12 Jan. 1887. Even as late as the general elec- ency which was a flagrant violation 9 Y Genedl Gymreig, 2 Feb. 1887; Baner tion of January 1910, by which time of the basic political principle ‘One ac Amserau Cymru, 2 Feb. 1887. Lloyd George was at the height of vote, one value’. But, in conclu- 10 NLW MS 20,443A (Lloyd George his prestige as the reforming Chan- sion, the key point which should be Papers 2093), Lloyd George’s pocket cellor of the Exchequer and fully stressed is perhaps Lloyd George’s diary for 1887, entry for 4 September embroiled in his passionate crusade outstanding success in withstand- 1887. against the House of Lords fol- ing the opposition of the Unionist 11 See Price, ‘Political Career’, p. 260. lowing its outright rejection of his parties in a difficult constituency 12 Ibid. ‘People’s Budget’ the previous year, from 1890 right through until 1906. 13 W. R. P. George, The Making of Lloyd the popular local Tory aspirant From then on it was all relatively George (Faber, 1976), p. 156. H. C. Vincent won through at Ban- plain sailing. 14 Ibid., p. 157. gor, while the Chancellor headed 15 Lloyd George to his family circle at the poll in the other five constitu- Dr J. Graham Jones was until recently Criccieth, 24 Aug. 1888, as cited in du ent boroughs.55 In the general elec- Senior Archivist and Head of the Parcq, Life of David Lloyd George, vol. tions of 1906 and December 1910, Lloyd George won a majority of the votes in all six boroughs.56 His entrenched, unrelenting opposition Lloyd George Society: Survey of Welsh History to the Boer War and his escapades The Lloyd George Society is pleased to announce a special event in the Lloyd George Room at the at the Birmingham Town Hall back , starting at 7.30pm on the evening of Monday 21 July, to celebrate the publication in 1901 had, it would seem, been of Professor Russell Deacon’s book, The Welsh Liberals: The History of the Liberal and Liberal Democrat forgotten or at least forgiven by the Parties in Wales. majority of his constituents a few The meeting will hear Professor Deacon introduce his book; to be followed by a round of debate and years later. It is interesting to record discussion with some of the people who have helped create and sustain the party in Wales. In the first that the Conservative candidates session, Martin Thomas (Lord Thomas of Gresford, President of the Lloyd George Society) and Roger won a high proportion of the total Roberts (Lord Roberts of Llandudno) will talk about and answer questions on the Welsh Liberal Party. poll in the division in every gen- The second session will feature Baroness Jenny Randerson, Baroness Christine Humphreys and Mike eral election from 1885 until 1900: German (Lord German) who will take us into the era of the Liberal Democrats. 49.1 per cent in 1885, 51.9 per cent in 1886, 49.8 per cent in 1890 (parlia- The meeting should appeal to anyone with an interest in Welsh or modern British political history, the mentary by-election), 47.6 per cent history of the Liberal Party or the Liberal Democrats. There will be free admission to the meeting and in 1892, 47.8 per cent in 1895, and copies of Professor Deacon’s book will be available to buy.

36 Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 lloyd george and the carnarvon boroughs, 1890–95

Was Herbert Henry Asquith a serial groper?

‘I postponed my interview with the king … so that we might have the hour together.’ (One of Asquith’s many letters to Venetia Stanley.)

Did our WW1 Prime Minister take his eye off the ball?

Who was Louis Stanley?

‘Intriguing; we couldn’t put it down’ (Morley Family History Group)

i, p. 83. 27 See The Times, 11 Apr. 1890, p. 6. George, p. 169. to MLG, 14 July 1895 (written at 16 On this, see the convenient 28 Ibid. 39 NLW, William George Papers Rhyl). account ibid., pp. 153–56. 29 North Wales Chronicle, 9 July 3317, D. Lloyd George to Rich- 50 R. D. Williams, Caernarfon, to 17 The phrase is that used in the 1890. ard Lloyd, [June 1892]. D. Lloyd George, 29 May 1895, Liverpool Mercury, 13 July 1888. 30 The Times, 12 Apr. 1890, p. 8. 40 British Weekly, 21 July 1892. cited in W. R. P. George, Lloyd 18 NLW, D. R. Daniel Papers 2751, 31 See Kenneth O. Morgan, Wales 41 NLW, William George Papers, George: Backbencher (Gomer, D. Lloyd George to Daniel, 5 in British Politics, pp. 111–14. 1892 election papers, file 9, Wil- 1983), pp. 180–81. July 1888. 32 Cregier, Bounder from Wales, p. liam Anthony, Pwllheli, to D. 51 North Wales Chronicle, 29 June 19 Kenneth O. Morgan, Wales in 44. Lloyd George, 20 June 1892. 1895. British Politics, 1868–1922, 4th 33 Emyr Price, David Lloyd George 42 NLW, William George Papers, 52 Ibid. ed. (University of Wales Press, (University of Wales Press 1892 election papers, file 9, 53 NLW, William George Papers 1991), p. 114. ‘Celtic Radicals series’, 2006), p. D. Lloyd George to William 6890, WG’s diary entry for 21 20 See The Times, 2 Apr. 1890, p. 7, 124. George, 7 Mar. 1892. July 1895. and 3 Apr. 1890, p. 7: ‘Election 34 The Times, 11 Feb. 1892. 43 North Wales Observer, 17 June 54 Library, Bel- intelligence’ columns. 35 J. Graham Jones, ‘Lloyd George 1892. mont Papers (Henry Lewis MSS) 21 NLW, E. Morgan Humphreys and the Caernarfon Boroughs 44 Ibid. no. 61. Papers A/1157(i), Dame Marga- election of 1892’, Caernarvonshire 45 Ibid., 24 June 1892. 55 Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald, 16 ret Lloyd George interviewed by Historical Society Transactions, no. 46 In Pembroke and Haverford- Dec. 1910; Pelling, Social Geogra- Humphreys, Apr. 1940. 52–53 (1991–92), pp. 31–50, and west District C. F. E. Allen was phy, p. 356. 22 Cited in du Parcq, Life of David now reprinted in Jones, David returned by 195 votes. 56 See Cambrian News, 23 Jan. 1906. Lloyd George, vol. i, p. 91. Lloyd George and Welsh Liberal- 47 W. R. Williams, The Parliamen- 57 Pelling, Social Geography, p. 351. 23 Ibid., p. 97. ism (National Library of Wales, tary History of the Principality of 58 Other single borough constitu- 24 Times, 29 Mar. 1890. 2010), pp. 30–46. Wales … 1541–1895 (Brecknock, encies continued in existence 25 See Don M. Cregier, Bounder 36 Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald, 29 1895), p. vii. after 1918, among them the Ayr from Wales: Lloyd George’s Career May 1892. 48 NLW MS 20,413C, no. 460, D. District and the Montrose Dis- before the First World War (Colom- 37 See Cyril Parry, David Lloyd Lloyd George to Margaret Lloyd trict in Scotland. bia and London, 1976), pp. George (Dinbych, 1984), pp. George, 5 July 1894 (written at 34–36. 33–34. Caernarfon). 26 Y Gwalia, 16 Apr. 1890. 38 Cited in George, Making of Lloyd 49 NLW MS 20,415C, no. 561, DLG

Journal of Liberal History 82 Spring 2014 37