The two men sat opposite each other in the empty Cabinet room of number ten Downing Street in an athmosphere as tense as could be. Two years previously the inhabitant of the famous address had managed to seize power from the other in a bloody coup which had split the party. Talks were now ongoing at healing the rift.
The talks went on into the early hours of the following morning after which time a deal was struck. The party would be reunited, with the former Prime Minister gaining the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer, with as yet unseen power over domestic policy, and the Prime Minister remaining in office. As part of the deal, it was agreed that both would be joint leaders of the party.
The Welsh wizard, the victor of the Great War, had achieved another feat of wizardry. The Liberal Party had been reunited, he would not have to rely on the support of the Conservatives, should he be reeelected. The stage was set for the General election of 1918.
The talks went on into the early hours of the following morning after which time a deal was struck. The party would be reunited, with the former Prime Minister gaining the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer, with as yet unseen power over domestic policy, and the Prime Minister remaining in office. As part of the deal, it was agreed that both would be joint leaders of the party.
The Welsh wizard, the victor of the Great War, had achieved another feat of wizardry. The Liberal Party had been reunited, he would not have to rely on the support of the Conservatives, should he be reeelected. The stage was set for the General election of 1918.