Asquith´s Liberal government

The Liberal Party had been in power since 1905 and Herbert Asquith had been Prime Minister since 1908. The outbreak of war in 1914 came at a time when Asquith´s government was under threat from powerful trade unions, the activities of the suffragettes, and the possibility of civil war in Ireland. The suffragettes were women campaigning for the right of women to vote. Their campaign had involved violence against property as well as the bombing of the house of a government minister, Lloyd George. Many women had been imprisoned.

When war broke out the suffragette leader, Emmeline Pankhurst (1858 - 1928), agreed to suspend the campaign for the vote and support the war effort. In exchange, suffragettes in prison were released. Asquith´s government enjoyed wide support. Britain was at war and it was every patriotic Briton´s duty to back his country. This early period of support for Asquith´s Liberals did not last long.

Neil Demarco: Britain and the Great War; Oxford University Press, 1992/2000, page 31