A Party Losing Faith: Liberal Organisation, Finance and Morale

Abstract

The Liberal failure in Parliament was made worse by the fate that was overtaking the party in the country. The long-term dangers that might result from the Liberal decision to install a Labour Government without conditions were hardly realised by the constituency associations in January 1924. The immediate reaction at constituency and federation level to Asquith’s decision was almost universally favourable. Such constituency associations as Harborough passed unanimous resolutions of support.¹ The Yorkshire Liberal Federation gave enthusiastic support to the motion that ‘only in the full exercise of freedom and independence can the Liberal Party continue to advance the cause of Liberalism’.²