For the study of Liberal, SDP and Issue 40 / Autumn 2003 / £5.00 Liberal Democrat history Journal of LiberalHI ST O R Y Heir to the New Liberals? Ed Randall John Rawls Appreciation of a Liberal philosopher Patrick Jackson, Ian Crowe Biographies Loulou Harcourt and Edmund Burke J. Graham Jones ‘A real triumph for my old friend’ The Times fooled by Lloyd George interview Adrian Slade Architect of political realism Interview with David Steel David Boyle Hilaire Belloc and the Liberal revival Distributism revisited Liberal Democrat History Group TEN YEARS OF LIBERAL HISTORY his issue of the Journal of Our underlying aim has never How they Liberal History, number 40, really changed, though – to pro- used to look: Tmarks the tenth anniversary mote the study and research of Newsletter of the publication originally Liberal history, whether relating number 1, known as the Liberal Democrat to the Liberal Party, SDP, Liberal Newsletter History Group Newsletter, then the Democrats or, more broadly, 10 – our first Journal of Liberal Democrat History, British (and sometimes foreign) special, on and operating under its current Liberalism. We wanted both to ‘Liberals title since the beginning of 2003. remind party members of their and the First I think it is true to say that party’s history, and to promote World War’ those of us involved in launching its study and research – generally – and the the Liberal Democrat History a neglected topic – amongst all first Journal Group in 1988 – inspired by the those interested, whether aca- of Liberal Liberal History Group in the demics or not. Democrat pre-merger Liberal Party – had We hope you find the Journal History, no idea that we would end up of Liberal History helps you in one nunber 17. where we are now. or both of these aims, and man- Our original intention was ages to be an enjoyable and inter- simply to organise fringe meet- esting read at the same time. ings at the main Liberal Demo- I cannot thank enough all crat Federal conferences. Perhaps those who have made the Journal slightly to our surprise, many of possible over the last ten years. them turned out to be extremely Here’s to the next decade! popular, and we gradually accu- mulated a list of people willing Duncan Brack (Editor) to help out with other tasks. So, in 1994, we started to organise meetings both at the spring party conferences, and also in London, New subscription rates for for the benefit of non-confer- the Journal ence attendees. Subscription rates for the Journal And in September 1993, we will be increasing from the new produced the first issue of the subscription year, starting in Sep- Group’s Newsletter, designed tember 2003. This is the first rise simply to publicise our activi- for four years; it is necessitated by ties and to publish reports of the increasing costs of producing our meetings, and a few book what is on average a much larger reviews of interests to students of publication than hitherto. Liberal history. An annual subscription to We managed to stick to a the Journal of Liberal History now (more or less) regular quarterly costs £15.00 (£7.50 unwaged publication, and ten years on rate) for individuals and £25.00 we can look back at forty issues, for institutions. This includes including eight special ‘themed’ membership of the History issues, three books (published Group unless you inform us oth- with the help of our friends at erwise. Politico’s), a rapidly develop- Rates for overseas subscribers ing website, and an expanding are £20.00 for individuals and range of contributors and help- £30.00 for institutions; special ers. (Which is not to say that we three-year rates are available for don’t need more contributions £55.00 (individuals) and £85.00 and help!) Perhaps most pleas- (institutions) total. ingly, both Labour and Conserv- Standing order forms are atives have finally got round to available on request – for contact emulating us, with two History details, see the page opposite. Groups founded in the last year. 2 Journal of Liberal History 40 Autumn 2003 Journal of Liberal History Issue 40: Autumn 2003 The Journal of Liberal History is published quarterly by the Liberal Democrat History Group. ISSN 1479-9642 Heir to the New Liberals? 4 Ed Randall describes and assesses the contribution of the American Editor: Duncan Brack philosopher John Rawls to political philosophy and Liberal thought Deputy Editor: Sarah Taft Assistant Editor: Siobhan Vitelli Biographies Editor: Robert Ingham Biography: Lewis Harcourt 14 Reviews Editor: Dr Eugenio Biagini The life and career of Lewis ‘Loulou’ Harcourt; by Patrick Jackson Patrons Dr Eugenio Biagini; Professor Michael Freeden; ‘A real triumph for my old friend’ 18 Professor Earl Russell; Professor John Vincent Dr J. Graham Jones examines the occasion when The Times took at face value an imaginary interview with David Lloyd George Editorial Board Dr Malcolm Baines; Dr Roy Douglas; Dr Barry Architect of political realism 23 Doyle; Dr David Dutton; Professor David Interview with David Steel; by Adrian Slade Gowland; Dr Richard Grayson; Dr Michael Hart; Peter Hellyer; Ian Hunter; Dr J. Graham Jones; Tony Little; Professor Ian Machin; Dr Mark Pack; Hilaire Belloc and the Liberal revival 26 Dr John Powell; Jaime Reynolds; Iain Sharpe Distributism – an alternative Liberal tradition? by David Boyle Editorial/Correspondence Contributions to the Journal – letters, articles, Biography: Edmund Burke 30 and book reviews – are invited. The Journal is a The career and political thought of Edmund Burke; by Ian Crowe refereed publication; all articles submitted will be reviewed. Contributions should be sent to: Reviews 33 Duncan Brack (Editor) 38 Salford Road, London SW2 4BQ John Grigg: Lloyd George: War Leader, reviewed by Ian Hunter; Michael email: [email protected] McManus: Jo Grimond: Towards the Sound of Gunfire, reviewed by Michael Steed; Mark Bonham Carter and Mark Pottle (eds): Lantern All articles copyright © Journal of Liberal History. Slides: The Diaries and Letters of Violet Bonham Carter, 1904–1914, reviewed by Robert Ingham Advertisements Adverts are welcome; please contact the Editor for rates. Report: Liberal heroines 37 with Baroness Liz Barker and Diana Wallis MEP; report by Justine Subscriptions/Membership McGuinness An annual subscription to the Journal of Liberal History costs £15.00 (£7.50 unwaged Archives 39 rate). This includes membership of the History Group unless you inform us otherwise. The Liberalism in Dundee; by Iain Flett institutional rate is £25.00 Overseas subscribers should add £5.00; or, a special three-year rate is available for £55.00 (individuals) or £85.00 (institutions). Cheques (payable to ‘Liberal Democrat History Group’) should be sent to: Patrick Mitchell 6 Palfrey Place, London SW8 1PA; email: [email protected] Liberal Democrat History Group The Liberal Democrat History Group promotes the discussion and research of historical Cover design concept: Lynne Featherstone topics relating to the histories of the Liberal Democrats, Liberal Party, and SDP, and of Liberalism. The Group organises discussion meetings and produces the Journal and other Published by the Liberal Democrat History occasional publications. Group, c/o 38 Salford Road, London SW2 4BQ For more information, including details of publications, back issues of the Journal, tape Printed by Kall-Kwik, records of meetings and archive and other research sources, see our web site at: 426 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5TF www.liberalhistory.org.uk. September 2003 Hon President: Earl Russell Chair: Tony Little Journal of Liberal History 40 Autumn 2003 3 Ed Randall describes and assesses the contribution of the American philosopher John HEIR TO THE NEW LIBERALS? Rawls to political philosophy and Liberal thought and suggests that Rawls is a true heir to the New Liberalism of T. H. Green and L. T. Hobhouse. Liberal political thought and philosophy have invigorated and inspired modern politics and helped to shape European political systems since the end of the seventeenth century. ohn Rawls died on 24 Rawls – a biography To the diverse and November 2002 hav- When Rawls died, in November extraordinarily creative ing made what was last year, the obituary writers indisputably the greatest were only able to draw upon a family of liberal contribution of any twen- very limited amount of infor- Jtieth-century political philosopher mation about the personal life thinkers, including to the canon of liberal thought of a modest and very private John Locke, Voltaire, and one of the most remarkable man.3,4 There can be no doubt Montesquieu, Thomas contributions to political phi- that John Rawls, never a seeker losophy of any time. Rawls was, as after publicity, wanted it that Paine, Marquis de one of his most able, articulate and way. Nevertheless, what is known Condorcet, Benjamin knowledgeable admirers has put it: about Rawls’s social background ‘[aware of the] prodigies of cruelty and intellectual development is Constant, Adam Smith, and destruction for which [human helpful in understanding him beings] are prepared to offer justi- as a philosopher and as a liberal Jeremy Bentham and fications’.1 But, as Thomas Nagel political thinker. John Stuart Mill, we went on to argue, Rawls’s deep John Rawls was born in 1921 understanding of and commit- and grew up in Baltimore in the must add the name of ment to liberal civilisation meant American state of Maryland. Sig- the greatest political he was determined not to let ‘the nificantly, Maryland had been a great evils of the past and present slaveholding state before 1865. thinker of the twentieth undermine hope for the future Although it did not become part century, John Rawls. of a Society of liberal and decent of the Confederacy, it had strong Peoples around the world’.2 ties to the slaveholding Southern 4 Journal of Liberal History 40 Autumn 2003 HEIR TO THE NEW LIBERALS? states that fought together in tune, equally unmerited, can play politics … and [in] the principles the American Civil War.