Thomas1195
Banned
Title says it all. The challenge is to make another member of Gladstone family become PM after 1900. And he must lead a Liberal government.
Well, I don't think the position could go to anyone other than Asquith, Grey and Haldane.Most likely Herbert Gladstone replacing Campbell Bannerman in 1908. Strongest objection OTL was that the King disliked him. Earlier death or incapacitation of King Edward (not difficult, given his lifestyle) removes that obstacle.
This man had a big potential if he was good enough. In fact, he was observed as a strong speaker when he won a by-election in 1911 with an unexpected large majority. And his name alone attracted lots of audience in his maiden speech in 1912.Gladstone's grandson was an MP and was killed in WWI, have him dodge a bullet (literally) and lead the Liberals at some point – or experience a Churchillian change in loyalty and have him succeed the man himself as Tory leader in the 1940s/1950s. The latter is perhaps more plausible as the issue with making someone Liberal leader after 1916 is that there aren't going to be any more Liberal PMs.
Or avoid WWI altogether and thus – perhaps – the Strange Death, and then young William G.C. Gladstone is a fresh-faced Liberal PM in the late 1920s.
He was only 30 when he died, so in 1925 he's 40, which would require Strange Times Indeed if he is to take over the party any time before then, or really within less than a few years after that.This man had a big potential if he was good enough. In fact, he was observed as a strong speaker when he won a by-election in 1911 with an unexpected large majority. And his name alone attracted lots of audience in his maiden speech in 1912.
If he survived, succeeded Asquith as Leader of Liberal Party, and converted to Keynesianism, then he would have put up a better fight in 1929 and 1931 elections, since he would be better at keeping party unity and persuading his party to accept Keynes' plan than Lloyd George, who was distrusted and hated by many of his party members for his treachery.
Or as mentioned above, Herbert Gladstone becoming PM instead of Asquith. Maybe have KIng Edward dying earlier.He was only 30 when he died, so in 1925 he's 40, which would require Strange Times Indeed if he is to take over the party any time before then, or really within less than a few years after that.
Rosebery and Sinclair became leaders in their forties. So this would not be impossiblemHe was only 30 when he died, so in 1925 he's 40, which would require Strange Times Indeed if he is to take over the party any time before then, or really within less than a few years after that.
So, how would Herbert's policies look like if he become PM?They represented but one wing of the Liberal Party (Liberal Imperialists). Gladstone was a more middle of the road figure. He was senior to Haldane, if not Grey and probably neck to neck with Asquith. He and the other key figures in the Party all aware that the King disliked him so he didn't push his claims very vigorously. Very keen on Party unity and avoiding splits.
How would be his stance regarding Entente and Belgian neutrality?Less likely to support an assertive foreign policy. More wanting to concentrate on domestic policy. Not personally beholden to Grey for his support either.
I think DLG might be promoted to a higher position, since HG might give more slots for the left wing of the party to counter-balance the Imperialist wing.Old Age pensions as OTL (except Asquith gets credit not DLG) Unemployment exchanges ditto.
Well, Grey would not be allowed the level of independence he had IOTL. If Gladstone acts like the pro-Boer wing, he would make a very clear stance over Belgium.Britain would still go to war over a German violation of Belgian neutrality. It was both a treaty commitment and in their geostrategic interest to do so. HG didn't actively want war and wasn't signed up to any agreements with France over and above the Entente Cordiale. Would have been more interested in genuine neutrality I think and made it clear to the Germans "we hope to stay out of this but can't if Belgian neutrality is violated" which would have concentrated minds in Berlin. OTL the Germans realised that Grey was looking for an excuse to commit to the Franco-Russian alliance and therefore didn't think that staying out of Belgium would keep Britain out of the war for very long. Were they to believe it a genuine quid pro quo for British neutrality they might have exercised their brains a bit harder!
Then there was Charles, the 6th Baronet. He survived WW1 but didn't enter politics instead teaching at Eton for several decades.Gladstone's grandson was an MP and was killed in WWI, have him dodge a bullet (literally) and lead the Liberals at some point – or experience a Churchillian change in loyalty and have him succeed the man himself as Tory leader in the 1940s/1950s. The latter is perhaps more plausible as the issue with making someone Liberal leader after 1916 is that there aren't going to be any more Liberal PMs.
Or avoid WWI altogether and thus – perhaps – the Strange Death, and then young William G.C. Gladstone is a fresh-faced Liberal PM in the late 1920s.
Or he, knowing his limited experience in military, decided to give other ministers like DLG, McKenna, Montagu... more power. Tories like Bonar Law would have been given more important positions than IOTL, to use the talent of the likes of Geddes or Bonar Law. Himself would devote in issues like Easter Rising, i.e. maintaining social unity. As I said, two advantages for Gladstone were that he was not a heavy drinker and never fell in love with Venetia Stanley.Pretty much as Asquith, I would think. Not terribly interested in military and foreign policy. However, if we still got involved in WWI, and I would consider that to be quite a big "if" as you will see from my post above, I think the big difference would be when Bonar Law and Lloyd George got restive. Gladstone would never have split the Liberal party. He would have done a Neville Chamberlain and allowed himself to be relegated to the prestigious but secondary role of either Lord Chancellor or Lord President of the Council.