Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Why do you think Gladstone converted to Home Rule in 1886?
Just a short blog to see what you all thought the main reasons behind Gladstone's conversion to Home Rule in 1886 were. Do you think it was driven mainly by political ambition, or perhaps he had a genuine moral conviction, or that there was no alternative and everything else had been tried, or perhaps another reason for his conversion?
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In 1884-5 the Third Reform Act wiped out Liberal representation in Ireland in favour of Nationalists, he wanted to reunite the Liberals as there had been divisions within the group and Home Rule could be a strong Liberal theme which would unite them and make them a cohesive fighting force. Gladstone saw it was "the will of the Irish". Reform to conserve - he said in the election in 1868 "my mission is to pacify Ireland". Gladstone, from 1868, was no longer particularly attached to the concept of Empire - unlike the Conservatives, Liberal Unionists etcetera; they saw the granting of self government to Ireland as setting a dangerous precedent to other colonies for independence.
ReplyDeleteConverting to Home Rule was important, as he wanted Liberal support from Parnell, and the only way he could gain this was to convert. Also it was perhaps the 'last resort' as he realised that the Irish were never going to be satisfied until they had some form of self-government. His views under went a radical transformation from 1882 onwards as he realised that no PM was going to spend the time and resources needed to accustom Ireland to the Union therefore the only way out was some form of autonomy.
What do you believe?
Interesting thoughts! Yes I do agree that Home Rule was perhaps used to unite his Liberal party. At the time they was wavering under the pressure of Irish grievances and had tendencies for factions within their Party - a strong Liberal theme, as you said, was the perfect solution. I think Home Rule could have been a short term tactical expedient to displace his top rivals Hartington and Chamberlain and ensure Liberal administration. Gladstone ultimately needed Parnell's support, and the only way to get that seemed to be to support Parnell's Irish Parliamentary cause of Home Rule. In the 1885 election, Gladstone's liberal party may have had the majority of the seats, but the IP had 86, and if they decided to site with the Tories, then it would be the Conservatives who would govern Ireland. Therefore, Gladstone needed Parnell's support. However, it's all very well to deem his conversion to Home Rule as just a political ploy... but if you look at how he carried out his conversion, it makes you think twice. Gladstone did not even tell Parnell about his conversion - it all came out in the 'Hawarden Kite' of 1885, when Gladstone's son told of his conversion. The fact that Gladstone did not speak out before the 1885 election shows how he did not want to be seen as bidding for the Irish Party because his interests may not have been solely poltiical. Drafts for a Home Rule Bill which Gladstone anticipated legislation of in 1886 were kept secret - surely this is evidence that Gladstone's conversion to Home Rule was the culmination of a relatively long reflection, rather than the snap, cynical decision of a politician anxious to remain in government?
ReplyDeleteAnd even further than that, Gladstone was actually prepared for a Conservative government to push Home Rule through the Westminster Parliament if he actually thought Home Rule had a chance to work. He didn't care who got it through, and established that the most poltiically able group were the Conservatives.
I hear what you're saying about a 'last resort'. I agree - the earlier attempts at a social programme, such as the 1869 Church Act, the 1870 Land Act, and the 1873 University Bill had all failed to solve the Irish grievances. As you said, the only way out was some form of autonomy - what is so unjust about giving Ireland a slight degree of legislative independence?
I know it's easy to look back and criticise, because at the time there was a general fear that if Home Rule was granted, then the Nationalists would keep wanting more and eventually advocate a complete seperation from Britain. It's logical to see why people opposed Home Rule in the sense that once you grant them one concession, they will keep wanting more.
boom Sasha, you just helped me finish an essay, you absolute BABE
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