Keeping the British Liberal Party flag flying high

[pipisme]

In late April 1935 Eamon de Valera, the Deputy Prime Minister, proposed to the cabinet that a new constitution be drawn up and voted upon by the Irish people, to replace what he considered to be the 'dictated' constitution of 1922. (1) If approved by the cabinet and the Dail it would be presented to the people in a referendum. Thomas Johnson, the Labour Prime Minister, agreed to give de Valera twelve months to draw one up. It was a pet project of de Valera (some people have called it an obsession of his) and Johnson hoped that it would keep him occupied for a year.

In early May 1936 de Valera and the other Fianna Fail ministers presented their draft constitution to the cabinet. Its wording was similar to the Irish constitution of 1937 in OTL:

http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/issues/politics/docs/coi37a.htm .

Johnson and the other Labour ministers were satisfied with the 1922 constitution as subsquently amended, and did not want a new constitution to be adopted. Besides they found much to reject in de Valera's draft constitution.

(1) Here is the text of the 1922 constitution: http://acts2.oireachtas.ie/zza1y1922.1.html

[pipisme]

As regards de Valera's proposed constitution, the Labour ministers in the Irish cabinet objected to the clauses which claimed Irish sovereignity over the whole of the island of Ireland, i.e. over Northern Ireland, and which gave a special position to the Roman Catholic Church, on the grounds that they would be a major road block in the path of unification of Ireland, while the second was objectionable to non-Catholics. They opposed the clause which provided for the post of President on the ground that it would give too much power to one man. At that time the British monarch was the Head of State of the Dominion of Ireland. They objected to the clause which prohibited divorce, and on the ground of women's rights, objected to the clauses which in effect stated that a women's place was in the home.

At a meeting of the Irish Cabinet on 6 May 1936, Thomas Johnson, the Prime Minister, said that he and the other Labour ministers rejected the proposed constitution. If de Valera and the other Fianna Fail ministers wanted to resign, they were free to do so. If they did he would call a general election.

The Fianna Fail ministers resigned and a general election was called for 5 June. The posts held by Fianna ministers were filled by Labour appointees, except that the post of Deputy Prime Minister was not filled.

[stevep]

pipisme

This could be interesting. From what Wiki said OTL de Valera and Fianna Fail were in sole power. This time their the junior partner in a coalition and it's going to force an election and them winning before the suggested constitution can be voted on. [If he had any sense de Valera could probably get agreement on a new constitution by removing the more outrageous conditions but then if he had sense he would be de Valera].

Ideally this can be torpedoed and it would greatly help Anglo-Irish relations, especially if London can stop the excesses in Belfast. Also if it means de Valera is out of power in Dublin that would be a big bonus.

Steve

Originally Posted by pipisme

As regards de Valera's proposed constitution, the Labour ministers in the Irish cabinet objected to the clauses which claimed Irish sovereignity over the whole of the island of Ireland, i.e. over Northern Ireland, and which gave a special position to the Roman Catholic Church, on the grounds that they would be a major road block in the path of unification of Ireland, while the second was objectionable to non-Catholics. They opposed the clause which provided for the post of President on the ground that it would give too much power to one man. At that time the British monarch was the Head of State of the Dominion of Ireland. They objected to the clause which prohibited divorce, and on the ground of women's rights, objected to the clauses which in effect stated that a women's place was in the home.

At a meeting of the Irish Cabinet on 6 May 1936, Thomas Johnson, the Prime Minister, said that he and the other Labour ministers rejected the proposed constitution. If de Valera and the other Fianna Fail ministers wanted to resign, they were free to do so. If they did he would call a general election.

The Fianna Fail ministers resigned and a general election was called for 5 June. The posts held by Fianna ministers were filled by Labour appointees, except that the post of Deputy Prime Minister was not filled.

[pipisme]

Although the record of the Labour/Fianna Fail coalition government inevitably played a major part in the campaign for the Irish general election on 5 June 1936, it was run a very close second by the proposed constitution drawn up by de Valera and other leading members of Fianna Fail. Fine Gael and Labour were united in opposition to the proposed constitution.

[pipisme]

Fine Gael and Labour objected to Fianna Fail's proposed new constitution on the following grounds:

There was a danger that the proposed President would over time become a dictator. There was talk that de Valera wanted to make himself dictator of Ireland.

The claim to jurisdiction over all of the island of Ireland alienated unionists in Northern Ireland and would postpone to the distant future the realisation of a united Ireland.

The same objection also applied to the clause which recognised the special position of the Roman Catholic Church as the guardian of the Faith professed by the great majority of Irish citizens. Non-Cathoilics in Ireland also objected to this clause.

The clause forbidding divorce or the remarriage of persons divorced outside the Dominion of Ireland was opposed not only by non-Catholics but also by liberal Catholics.

Fine Gael and Labour objected to Fianna Fail's proposal in relation to the Seanad (Senate) on the ground that it gave too much power to the government and the ruling party. Instead of being wholly elected, a fifth of the members would be nominated by the Taioseach (Prime Minister); graduates of Trinity College Dublin and the National University of Ireland would each elect three members, and the remaining members would be elected by the Dail.

Feminists, including those in Fianna Fail, and liberals objected to the clause regarding women. It emphasised that a women's place was in the home. De Valera made it clear that this was the only proper place for her. It was strongly criticised by the National University Women Graduates' Association.

James Dillon, a rising young star of Fine Gael, denounced Fianna Fail as not having any proposals for a modern outward looking Ireland. Instead they wanted to make Ireland a narrow sectarian society, living in the past, where women were kept in their place.

In a speech on 23 May de Valera set forth his vision of the ideal Ireland. It was a country in which after a hard day's work in field, factory or office, the man of the house came home to a meal prepared by his wife. After they and their children had eaten their meal, the family would say the rosary together. On summer evenings handsome lads and comely maidens would dance traditional Irish dances at country crossroads.

On 27 May Thomas Johnson, the Prime Minister, said that if Labour formed a government after the election it would convene within six months of taking office a Forum for the Future of Ireland. The government would invite representatives from all sections of Irish society - industry, trade unions, agriculture, the universities, the professions, religious bodies, the arts - to put forward and discuss ideas for the future of the country. One fifth of the places would be reserved for representatives from Northern Ireland. This proposal was strongly supported by William Cosgrave, the leader of Fine Gael. De Valera was sceptical, saying that it would be little more than a talking shop and a waste of time.

A pastoral letter read out at all masses in all Catholic churches on Sunday 31 May, and written by John Charles McQuaid, the Archbishop of Dublin, said that Catholics were free to vote according to their conscience, as informed by the Catholic Church, but in this election the policies of Fianna Fail were most closely in line with the Church's teaching. This letter caused an uproar, with parties and individuals opposed to Fianna Fail, including many Catholis, denouncing it as clerical interference in politics and as unacceptable endorsement of one party.

The number of TDs (members of the Dail) for each party and independents, elected in the general election on 5 June 1936 were as follows (elected in general election on 1 June 1932 in brackets):
Labouir: 61 (49)
Fine Gael: 57 (Cumann na nGaedheal 52)
Fianna Fail: 38 (45)
Independents: 4 (11)
The Speaker: 1 (1)
(Farmers' Party: 3)
--------------------
Total: 161 (161)
--------------------

As was widely expected Labour formed a coalition government with Fine Gael, rather than Fianna Fail. Thomas Johnson continued as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and William Cosgrave became Tainaste (Deputy Prime Minister).

[stevep]

pipisme

Interesting. That's a fairly stomping defeat for de Valera and the reactionaries. Hopefully if London can sort out the unionist extremists north of the border Ireland and Britain can avoid a lot of the problems that occurred OTL.

Steve

[pipisme]

Negotiations between Labour and Fine Gael for the formation of a coalition government took place over the weekend of 6th and 7th June 1936. In the discussions over the composition of the cabinet Labour vetoed Ernest Blythe and Richard Mulcahy. In return they allowed Fine Gael (FG) to have the posts for Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs. Each party would have six members of the twelve-man cabinet.

Blythe was vetoed by Labour because he was a member of the Blue Shirts, and because of his hardline record of austerity as Minister of Finance from 1923 to 1932. Mulcahy was vetoed because as Minister of Defence and commander of government forces during the Civil War he ordered the execution of anti-treaty activists in possession of weapons when captured. William O'Brien, a member of the previous Labour/Fianna Fail coalition cabinet, said that Mulcahy had the blood of dozens of Irish men on his hands.

The composition of the cabinet was announced on 8 June. Its members were as follows:

Taioseach (Prime Minister): Thomas Johnson (Labour)
Tainaiste (Deputy Prime Minister): William Cosgrave (FG)
Minister for Agriculture: James Everett (Labour)
Minister for Defence: Desmond Fitzgerald (FG)
Minister for External Affairs: Kevin O'Higgins (FG)
Minister for Education: John M. O'Sullivan (FG)
Minister for Finance: William Norton (Labour)
Minister for Industry and Commerce: Patrick McGilligan (FG)
Minister for Justice: Richard Corish (Labour)
Minister for Lands and Fisheries: Seamus Burke (FG)
Minister for Local Government and Public Health: Thomas O'Connell (Labour)
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs: William X. O'Brien (Labour).

[pipisme]

Two Fine Gael deputies who were appointed parliamentary secretaries in the Labour/Fine Gael coalition in Ireland, and who would rise to greater political heights in future years, were James Dillon (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance), and Bridget Redmond (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government and Health).

The Future of Ireland Forum first met in early October 1936. The cabinet agreed that its chairman would be James Green Douglas, the Independent Senator. He was the chief administator of the Irish White Cross from 1920-1922, and chairman of the committee which drafted the constitution of the Irish Free State. There were 60 members of the Forum, of which 12 were from Northern Ireland, none of whom were Ulster Unionists.

(1) Here is a biography of Douglas: http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/hist...en_douglas.htm

[pipisme]

The Forum For the Future of Ireland, or the Future Ireland Forum (FIF) as it was usually called, was convened in Dublin in mid October 1936. There were 60 representives, of which 12 were from Northern Ireland, though none were Ulster Unionists. Thomas Johnson, the Prime Minister, had appointed James Green Douglas, an independent Senator, and a member of the Council of Ireland, as the Chairman of the Forum. From 1920 to 1922 Douglas was the chief administrator of the Irish White Cross, and he was appointed by Michael Collins to be the chairman of the committee which drafted the constitution of the Irish Free State. His biography is here: http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/hist...en_douglas.htm .

[pipisme]

The Report of the Future Ireland Forum was published in late February 1937. It recommended that the Dominion of Ireland took the Scandinavian countries as a model for future development. These were small democratic and prosperous countries. It proposed a major expansion of the 'new' industries of consumer durables such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, refrigerators; and the new home entertainment media of radios and gramophone players. It advocated that Ireland should become a cultural hub with artistic expression encouraged. It raised the possibility of the establishment of film studios in the country -an Irish Hollywood though on a somewhat smaller scale. As regards Northern Ireland it proposed a policy of making union attractive to the majority of the people of the North.

The Report was accepted in its entirety by the Labour/Fine Gael coalition government.

[pipisme]

As at the beginning of December 1938, the coalition government of Labour and Fine Gael was still in power in Ireland. As regards foreign policy it denounced the Milan Treaty which was signed in September 1938. That was this TL's analogy to the Munich agreement in OTL. It also backed the policy of non-intervention in the Spanish Civil War, but supported the government of national reconciliation formed in Republican held Spain in late November 1938.

In Northern Ireland the Ulster Unionist government headed by Sir James Craig was still in power. I will now leave the Ireland/Northern Ireland storylines in this TL.

King George V died on 13 December 1929. He was succeeded as King of the United Kingdom and the British Empire by Prince Edward who took the title of Edward VIII. In September 1930 he married Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. They had two children: Princess Mary, born on 12 October 1931 and Prince Henry born 19 December 1932. After the birth of Prince Henry, King Edward lived with his mistress - Thelma, Lady Furness, with the agreement of the Queen.

Princess Mary was an affectionate, lively, compassionate, intelligent and pretty girl, though something of a tomboy. She won the heart of everyone who met her.

Prince Henry had cerebral paralysis. What is now called cerebral palsy. (1)
He had difficulty with speech and movement and used a wheel chair. However he was highly intelligent. He was reading by the age of three and by the age of six had excellent writing skills. His mother recognised and nurtured his abilities. Unlike his father who was heard to say that "monstrosities like that should be humanely put down, like you would a deformed dog". Princess Mary was very fond of her brother and recognised his abilities.

(1) Here is an article on cerebral palsy: http://www.scope.org.uk/help-and-inf...cerebral-palsy

[stevep]

pipisme

Hell, there's some butterflies. Can't remember if you mentioned them earlier? George V dying earlier and Edward VIII on the throne. Hopefully without Mrs Simpson he will be less of a disaster but doesn't bode well.

Also going to be interesting in the next generation. Henry sounds very able but his handicap could cause him problems and with Mary being older and very popular there might be some arguing for changing the succession laws to allow her to become queen.

Steve

Originally Posted by pipisme

As at the beginning of December 1938, the coalition government of Labour and Fine Gael was still in power in Ireland. As regards foreign policy it denounced the Milan Treaty which was signed in September 1938. That was this TL's analogy to the Munich agreement in OTL. It also backed the policy of non-intervention in the Spanish Civil War, but supported the government of national reconciliation formed in Republican held Spain in late November 1938.

In Northern Ireland the Ulster Unionist government headed by Sir James Craig was still in power. I will now leave the Ireland/Northern Ireland storylines in this TL.

King George V died on 13 December 1929. He was succeeded as King of the United Kingdom and the British Empire by Prince Edward who took the title of Edward VIII. In September 1930 he married Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. They had two children: Princess Mary, born on 12 October 1931 and Prince Henry born 19 December 1932. After the birth of Prince Henry, King Edward lived with his mistress - Thelma, Lady Furness, with the agreement of the Queen.

Princess Mary was an affectionate, lively, compassionate, intelligent and pretty girl, though something of a tomboy. She won the heart of everyone who met her.

Prince Henry had cerebral paralysis. What is now called cerebral palsy. (1)
He had difficulty with speech and movement and used a wheel chair. However he was highly intelligent. He was reading by the age of three and by the age of six had excellent writing skills. His mother recognised and nurtured his abilities. Unlike his father who was heard to say that "monstrosities like that should be humanely put down, like you would a deformed dog". Princess Mary was very fond of her brother and recognised his abilities.

(1) Here is an article on cerebral palsy: http://www.scope.org.uk/help-and-inf...cerebral-palsy

[ColeMercury]

Originally Posted by pipisme

King George V died on 13 December 1929. He was succeeded as King of the United Kingdom and the British Empire by Prince Edward who took the title of Edward VIII. In September 1930 he married Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. They had two children: Princess Mary, born on 12 October 1931 and Prince Henry born 19 December 1932. After the birth of Prince Henry, King Edward lived with his mistress - Thelma, Lady Furness, with the agreement of the Queen.

Wasn't Edward VIII infertile?

[stevep]

Originally Posted by LorienTheYounger

Wasn't Edward VIII infertile?

LorienTheYounger

I know he didn't have any children with his misses but don't know if that was a failure on his part. Think he is supposed to have put it about a bit before the marriage with various mistresses but can't remember hearing of any offspring. If there is evidence that he was actually infertile that does rather put a spanner in pipisme TL here.

Steve

[pipisme]

The third paragraph of my previous post is a summary of information in posts a long way back about George V, Edward VIII and his wife, children and mistress.

I knew that Edward VIII didn't father any children, but didn't know that he was infertile.

[ColeMercury]

Originally Posted by pipisme

I knew that Edward VIII didn't father any children, but didn't know that he was infertile.

I'm not totally certain he was, but I seem to remember hearing it.

[Llamastrangler]

A completely unscientific quick trawl of Goolgle implies it's suspected but not confirmed. If so then that might give you a bit of wiggle room for AH purposes.

[pipisme]

I have not found any medical report that Edward VIII was infertile. I assume that in OTL he and Wallis Simpson didn't want children. In this TL he had to provide an heir and a spare, so I am assuming that he was fertile enough to father two children.

Queen Marina was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church and she brought up her two children in that faith. However neither of them would be able to succeed to the British throne unless they became members of the Church of England, in accordance with the Act of Settlement 1701. (1) Though that Act does not specifically exclude members of the Greek Orthodox Church from suceeding to the throne. It was decided to wait until Prince Henry and Princess Mary became adults and chose which religion to follow before dealing with any problem arising from the Act of Settlement. It was assumed that Edward VIII would be king for the rest of his life, and that he would not die before his children became adults.

As regards whether Henry should have the right of succession to which he was entitled under the law of male-preference primogeniture in spite of his being physically disabled, the consensus among establishment opinion was that he should, on the grounds of tradition and he that would be intellectually capable of exercising the duties of the monarch, when he reached adulthood. His mother, Queen Marina, argued forcefully and passionately in favour of him having the right of succession.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_Settlement_1701 .

[pipisme]

I am now returning to the Spanish Civil War storyline in this TL. See post# 554 on page 28 dated January 28th, 2011 for a summary of the situation in Spain at the beginning of December 1938.

The nationalist general staff wanted to mount an offensive against Catalonia before the Spanish government was able to build up its military capability after the lifting of the arms embargo by the British government.

The nationalist offensive was launched on 6 December across the river Segre, near its confluence with the river Ebro, with a massive artillery bombardment and air cover. Government forces fell back, though they fought bravely, and the nationalists advanced several kilometres and on 9 December they entered the town or village of Mayals. (1) That proved to be the limit of their advance.

Torrential rain on 10 December was followed by nearly two weeks of wind and rain. (2) Government forces having halted the nationalist advance employed a successful defensive strategy.

On 22 December Pope Pius XI made an appeal for a Christmas truce. (3) This was accepted by President Manuel Azana and Prime Minister Salvador de Madariaga. This placed the nationalists in a politically awkward situation. They wanted to use the return of good weather to restart their offensive, but as they claimed to be fighting for Catholic Spain they could not reject a request by the Pope which had been accepted by the supposedly anti-clerical 'Reds'. Therefore General Franco and the nationalist leadership accepted the papal truce. It was to start at midnight on 23/24 December and last five days until midnight on 28/29 December.

(1) I got the name Mayals from the chapter The Fall of Catalonia in the book The Battle For Spain: The Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 by Antony Beevor. In OTL the nationalists entered Mayals on 24 December, a day after launching their Catalan offensive.

(2) Information taken from The Battle for Spain.

(3) In OTL before the nationalist offensive on 23 December the Vatican appealed for a Christmas truce. This was rejected by the nationalists. See The Battle for Spain.

[Archangel]

Keep it up, pipisme!