PC/WI: Asquith became Leader of the Liberal Party in 1898 and still became PM in 1906

Thomas1195

Banned
IOTL, after Harcourt resigned in 1898, Asquith came under strong pressure to accept the nomination to take over as Liberal leader. What if he became the Party Leader, instead of HCB?

Assume that he still won the 1906 election with a landslide victory like HCB did IOTL and became PM.
How would his ministry as well as his policies look like? Who would become Chancellor of the Exchequer if Asquith became PM in 1906?
 

Thomas1195

Banned
From my viewpoint, if Lloyd George become Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1906, more reforms would be enacted than IOTL. There would be earlier People's Budget and the Development Fund (which IOTL provided public works when trade slump). And since British economy IOTL fluctuated between 1906-1910, the Fund would be more significant than IOTL, but of course it would still be a pure joke compared to German's level of state intervention. Nevertheless, if John Brunner's call for state support for improving national transport and communication was accepted by Asquith and LG, the Development Fund might become a real deal, unlike IOTL.

But what if Lloyd George was still President of Board of Trade in 1906 like IOTL, who would be the Chancellor?
 

pipisme

If Lloyd George was still appointed President of the Board of Trade in December 1905, two feasible choices for Chancellor of the Exchequer would be James Bryce and Herbert Gladstone who in OTL were Chief Secretary for Ireland and Home Secretary respectively in Campbell Bannerman's government.

Bryce was President of the Board of Trade in Lord Rosebery's government from 1894-95. Herbert Gladstone, son of William Gladstone, was First Commissioner of Works from 1894-95. He had financial experience as Financial Secretary at the War Office in his father's third ministry. He was Liberal Chief Whip from 1899-1905.
 

Thomas1195

Banned
pipisme said:
If Lloyd George was still appointed President of the Board of Trade in December 1905, two feasible choices for Chancellor of the Exchequer would be James Bryce and Herbert Gladstone who in OTL were Chief Secretary for Ireland and Home Secretary respectively in Campbell Bannerman's government.

Bryce was President of the Board of Trade in Lord Rosebery's government from 1894-95. Herbert Gladstone, son of William Gladstone, was First Commissioner of Works from 1894-95. He had financial experience as Financial Secretary at the War Office in his father's third ministry. He was Liberal Chief Whip from 1899-1905.
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I would prefer the more radical choice. Anyway, Bryce was more senior at that time, but Herbert not far behind.
 
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