Liberal history news Autumn 2010

Liberal History News is a new regular feature in the Westminster and a National National Library in Aberystwyth. Journal (except in special themed Assembly governing on Welsh It was preceded by a lecture by Dr issues), reporting news of meet- soil, there is so much of David Jones on the marriage of Lloyd ings, conferences, commemora- Lloyd George’s legacy which has George and Frances Stevenson. tions, dinners or any other events, prevailed or is reflected in Welsh Graham Jones is a fine speaker together with anything else of and British politics today. Dr J and at times the lecture seemed contemporary interest to our Graham Jones, Head of the Welsh to be more of a dramatic presen- readers. Contributions are very Political Archive at the National tation, with Dr Jones acting the welcome; please keep them rea- Library of Wales and one of the voices of the key characters when sonably concise, and accompany most prolific contributors to the quoting from diaries or letters. them, if possible, with photos. Journal of Liberal History, has now The book was then launched Email to the Editor on journal@ produced a new book, published in the company of Ffion Hague, liberalhistory.org.uk by the National Library, Lloyd the author of The Pain and Privi- George and Welsh Liberalism, to lege (HarperPress, 2008), which illuminate some of the more itself threw new light on Lloyd Lloyd George book launch at overlooked aspects of LG’s life. George’s private affairs. Mrs the National Library of Wales Graham Lippiatt was present at Hague said she had vowed to put ith the Liberal- J Graham Jones, the launch. away all her Liberal jokes now Conservative coali- Ffion Hague and The book was launched on that the coalition was in office. Wtion government in Dafydd Wigley Saturday 26 June 2010 at the Also present was the former

4 Journal of Liberal History 68 Autumn 2010 liberal history news leader of and MP in the story of British popular for Lloyd George’s old seat of journalism. What’s more, he was Boroughs from 1974 that rare beast – a Liberal-sup- to 2001, Dafydd Wigley, who porting press baron. praised LG’s radical and Welsh Sensing a niche for a publica- nationalist heritage. tion that would appeal to the Dr Jones’ book will be newly-literate lower-middle reviewed in a future edition of classes, the minister’s son in 1881 the Journal of Liberal History by launched the weekly magazine Professor K. O. Morgan. Tit-Bits – ‘a compendium of entertaining and amusing stories and tit-bits from all the most Song for Francis Hirst interesting books, periodicals iberal Democrat History and newspapers in the world’, in Group executive member its own words. Unable to raise LGeofffrey Selldiscovered the capital conventionally, the the following extract from the -born Newnes, who autograph book of his grand- worked in the City after leaving mother, Eveline Dora Noble school, funded his new magazine (1889–1971), relating to the candi- by opening a vegetarian restau- dacy of Francis Hirst for the Sud- rant in Manchester. bury Division in the January 1910 His weekly proved an instant general election. hit, and thanks in part to his flair for publicity and quirky Vote for Hirst prize-reader competitions – one involved the chance to win a The Liberals are packing seven-bedroom house, provided no energy lacking the winner agreed to call the all bent on attacking house ‘Tit-Bits Villa’ – it would the opposite party go on to reach a circulation high of 700,000 by the end of the 19th Heads up they are pushing century, making it one of the Sir George newspapers favourable to the Lib- and shoving and crashing biggest-selling publications in the Newnes, c 1905 eral cause. and striving and rushing land. In 1893, after W. W. Astor had this way to the prize The title helped revolution- bought the previously Liberal ise popular journalism, paving Pall Mall Gazette, and turned it Our man is Hirst the way for the launch of mass- Tory, Newnes founded a new the best will be first market papers like the Liberal paper, the Westminster So vote altogether (founded by Alfred Harmsworth, Gazette. The ‘pea-green incor- For free trade forever.’ a one-time contributor to ruptible’, as it was dubbed Tit-Bits) and the – Gladstone had personally The entry was made by Frank (launched by C. Arthur Pearson, approved its green colour – soon Backler, licensee of the Bell who spent five years atTit-Bits became the heavyweight Liberal Hotel, Haverhill, Suffolk in after winning a competition to paper of the day, even though December 1909. The Hirst get a job on the magazine). In its circulation never exceeded referred to was Francis Wrigley 1891, Newnes went on to have 25,000. Newnes also launched a Hirst, Liberal candidate for Sud- further success with Strand Maga- ‘Liberal’ morning penny news- bury in the January 1910 general zine, which serialised the Sher- paper, the Daily Courier, designed election. He was defending a seat lock Holmes stories, and soon to compete with Harmsworth’s captured by the Liberals in 1906 had a circulation of around half a new, halfpenny Daily Mail; but he was unsuccessful. million. unfortunately it lasted less than Jaime Reynolds’ article, ‘The A lifelong Liberal, in 1885 he six months. Nonetheless, he was Last of the Liberals’, in Journal of became MP for Newmarket, a duly rewarded for his readiness Liberal History 47 (summer 2005) seat he held until 1895, when he to bankroll Liberal papers with a provides a full biography of Hirst. was defeated. However, soon baronetcy. afterwards he was offered the safe Despite being all but forgotten Liberal seat of Swansea, which he now, the Encyclopaedia of the Brit- George Newnes: The Liberal held from 1900 until his retire- ish Press rightly observes that ‘in Press Baron ment in January 1910. Among his many ways, George Newnes was ork Membery recalls the few distinctions as an MP was the father of the New Journalism: life of the Liberal-support- to be nominated as one of the others were to adapt it more suc- Ying press baron, who died a best-dressed men in the House. cessfully, but to him must go the hundred years ago. However, he served the party credit for seeing the potential’. It’s The name George Newnes in other ways and was valued by just a shame that so few press might be all but forgotten now, Lord Rosebery, among others, barons have shared his political but in a way he’s the missing link for his willingness to bankroll views.

Journal of Liberal History 68 Autumn 2010 5