Skip to main content

Constitutional history

 Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 188 Collections and/or Records:

 Item

(Untitled), 08 Apr 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 12/2/30
Scope and Contents

Letter from Sir Arthur Thring (Office of the Parliamentary Counsel) to WSC concerning the differences between the "Polls on one day" provision brought in by the Liberal government in 1895 and the [Parliamentary] bill introduced in the current parliamentary session. Signed manuscript.

Dates: 08 Apr 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 08 Apr 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 12/2/31
Scope and Contents

Letter from Sir Arthur Thring (Office of the Parliamentary Counsel) to WSC concerning two alternative amendments to the [Parliamentary Bill] [see CHAR 12/2/32] which would prevent safeguards being removed without the consent of the House of Lords. Signed manuscript.

Dates: 08 Apr 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), [08] [Apr] [1910]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 12/2/32
Scope and Contents

Suggested amendments [to the Parliamentary Bill]. Typescript. Covering letter at CHAR 12/2/31.

Dates: [08] [Apr] [1910]
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 19 Dec 1908

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/38/58
Scope and Contents

Page from the Gloucester Journal: speech by Herbert Asquith [later Lord Oxford and Asquith] at the National Liberal Club attacking the power of the House of Lords with special reference to the Education Bill and the Licensing Bill and the reply of Lord St Aldwyn [earlier Sir Michael Hicks Beach] at Gloucester.

Dates: 19 Dec 1908
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 23 Jan 1909

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/39/4-5
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC (Board of Trade) to Henry Massingham asserting that there was much support in the country for the rejection by the House of Lords of the Licensing Bill and that an attack on the Lords on constitutional grounds will fail if not backed by a demand in the country for a specific measure which the Lords will not pass. Looks forward to the major measures being planned by the Government. Copy in the hand of Annette Anning signed by WSC. Annotated: "not sent." A typescript copy at...
Dates: 23 Jan 1909
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 27 Jan [1909]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/39/10-11
Scope and Contents

Letter from Henry Massingham (The Nation, 14 Henrietta Street, Convent Garden, London) to WSC explaining his criticism of WSC's speech in Birmingham [on 13 Jan 1909] on Liberal policy and the House of Lords. Makes particular reference to Welsh Disestablishment and social reform.

Dates: 27 Jan [1909]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 18 Nov 1909

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/42/20-24
Scope and Contents

Letter from [WSC] to Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith criticising Smith's suggestion that the House of Commons should be empowered to ignore the opinion of the House of Lords on a bill but that the Lords should be able to suspend the Royal Assent until after a general election has returned a House of Commons not unfavourable to the measure. Typescript copy.

Dates: 18 Nov 1909
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), [Jan 1910]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/42/32-34
Scope and Contents

Part of a Cabinet memorandum by WSC on the courses open to the Government for the passing of the Budget and for reform of the House of Lords Notes, arguing that the issue of reform of the House of Lords is more important than the Budget. Draft partly in WSC's hand. The first paragraph of this document is at CHAR 2/42/26. Folio 34 forms paragraphs 5 to 8 of the published version.

Dates: [Jan 1910]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 18 Feb [1910]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/42/35
Scope and Contents

Memorandum from WSC (Board of Trade) to the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith, later Lord Oxford and Asquith] on the unnecessary difference between the Government and its supporters over whether the passing of the Budget or the ending of the House of Lords' veto should be tackled first. Draft in WSC's hand.

Dates: 18 Feb [1910]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), [1910]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/42/36-37
Scope and Contents

Notes, in the form of questions by WSC and answers by ? on the possibility of holding a referendum on the House of Lords' veto.

Dates: [1910]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), [1910]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/42/38
Scope and Contents

Notes on a speech in the House of Commons asserting that the Government should, if necessary, compromise over the details of the Budget but should put forward a radical policy on the House of Lords.

Dates: [1910]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), [Nov 1909]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/42/45-49
Scope and Contents

Answer by Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith to WSC's criticisms of Smith's suggestions for the reform of the relations between the House of Commons and the House of Lords [see CHAR 2/42/20-24 and CHAR 2/42/50-51]. Annotated typescript.

Dates: [Nov 1909]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), [Nov 1909]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/42/50-51
Scope and Contents

Notes [by Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith] on reform of the relations between the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Dates: [Nov 1909]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), [1910]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/42/52-63
Scope and Contents

Extracts from various speeches made by WSC in 1909 and 1910 on the intention of the Liberals to end the veto of the House of Lords if returned at the general election. Annotated typescript.

Dates: [1910]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 24 Feb 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/45/30
Scope and Contents Letter from William Royle, chairman of the executive committee of the Manchester Liberal Federation (Elmwood, Rusholme, Manchester) to WSC enclosing a letter demanding a meeting of the Federation [see CHAR 2/45/29] as representative of many he has received. Reports that local Liberal opinion is against the full-scale reform of the House of Lords because it would take too long. Urges instead that the Government should renew its supporters' enthusiasm by dealing first with the Budget and the...
Dates: 24 Feb 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 24 Feb 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/45/32
Scope and Contents

Letter from C P Scott (The Firs, Fallowfield, Manchester) to WSC asserting that the Government's supporters feel betrayed by its apparent complete change of policy on the veto of the House of Lords.

Dates: 24 Feb 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 27 Feb 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/45/34
Scope and Contents

Letter from C P Scott (The Guardian Office, Manchester) to WSC approving a proposal [? on the veto of the House of Lords] but fearing that Irish MPs would oppose it fearing its application to a Home Rule Bill. Hopes the "anti-Lords combination" can be kept together.

Dates: 27 Feb 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 01 Mar 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/45/36
Scope and Contents

Letter from C P Scott (The Firs, Fallowfield, Manchester) to WSC noting WSC's role in the events of the previous night [in the House of Commons whereby the confrontation with the House of Lords was postponed] and asserting that the Government can hold power for years if it maintains its opposition to the Lords and cultivates Free Trade interests in the north of England.

Dates: 01 Mar 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 03 Mar 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/45/37
Scope and Contents

Letter from C P Scott (The Firs, Fallowfield, Manchester) to WSC acknowledging that the Liberals are right to address the hereditary basis of the Second Chamber provided that it does not interfere with the immediate issue of the veto of the House of Lords.

Dates: 03 Mar 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 08 Mar 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/45/61-62
Scope and Contents

Letter from William Royle, chairman of the executive committee of the Manchester Liberal Federation (20 York Street, Manchester) to WSC thanking him for agreeing to address a demonstration in the Free Trade Hall and assuring him of the loyalty of the Liberal Party to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and their approval of their strong attitude towards the veto of the House of Lords.

Dates: 08 Mar 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 31 Mar 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/45/76
Scope and Contents

Letter from Herbert Asquith [later Lord Oxford and Asquith] (10 Downing Street) to WSC praising his speech [in the House of Commons on the Government's proposals on the veto of the House of Lords] except for the sentence associating the Crown with the people.

Dates: 31 Mar 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 05 Apr 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/45/80
Scope and Contents

Letter from Lord Morley [earlier John Morely] (India Office) to WSC on the division of labour between himself and Lord Crewe and his (Morley's) clash with WSC in the Cabinet over Government policy on the veto of the House of Lords.

Dates: 05 Apr 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 15 Apr 1910

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/45/83
Scope and Contents

Letter from David Lloyd George (House of Commons) reporting that the Irish Nationalist MPs will be asked to vote for the Government and will join a demonstration in Hyde Park [London] against the House of Lords. Expresses confidence about the Government's prospects.

Dates: 15 Apr 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 03 Jan 1911

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/51/2-3
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC to Herbert Asquith [later Lord Oxford and Asquith] praising him for his leadership during the general election campaign and considering the present political situation. He asserts that the restriction of the House of Lords' veto must be the pre-requisite for any co-operation between the Government and the Tories on reform of the Lords and any other issue, and that the Government should have no hesitation in creating 500 new peers if necessary. After the veto has been...
Dates: 03 Jan 1911
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 31 Mar 1911

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/51/81
Scope and Contents

Letter from ? J H (41 Cadogan Square, [London] enclosing and commenting on a pamphlet of 1719 on the independence of the House of Lords [see CHAR 2/51//82]. Annotated with WSC's instruction to "write a vy civil reply & post by hand.".

Dates: 31 Mar 1911
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open