On Thursday night Mr. Asquith spoke at Retford, and protested
against the idea that, when the Government was returned with a majority of over a hundred, this was an inconclusive Election. He replied to Mr. Balfour's suggestion that he was at the mercy of the Irish Party by declaring that this could only be the case if he preferred office to principle,— a thing which no honourable statesman would be guilty of. "The moment I cease to be able, in concert with my colleagues, to direct the policy and legislation of this country, for which we are responsible, however enviable it may appear to some, office will cease to have any attractions for us." Mr. Lloyd George, speaking the same evening at East Ham, said that the Tory interpretation of the British Constitution was that a democratic victory never counted except when it carried out the will of the aristocracy. He went on to show that when the Veto Resolutions were carried there would still be inequalities, for they would stop Liberal legislation for two years, but would not stop Tory legislation at all. "Liberals must proceed to reform the Constitution in such a way as to extend equal treatment to both parties."
Previous page
