Andrew Bonar Law’s new cabinet the smallest in 30 years

Westminster, 8 November 1922 – The new British Prime Minister, Andrew Bonar Law, has appointed his new cabinet.

Key appointments include Stanley Baldwin as Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Curzon as Foreign Secretary and leader of the House of Lords, Victor Cavendish as Colonial Secretary, and Edward Stanley as Secretary of War.

Overall, Mr Bonar Law’s cabinet of 16 is the smallest since Archibald Primrose’s government in 1892-5 when there were 15. William Gladstone in 1886 had only 14 Ministers.

While the war cabinet had five members, the old system of 23 members was restored the year after the armistice by then Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

The number of cabinet members has since been reduced. When Mr Lloyd George resigned last month, the cabinet consisted of 19 members. The latest reduction has been caused by the dropping of the Lord Privy Seal, the joint office of the First Commissioner of Works and Minister of Transport, and the Chief Secretary of Ireland. The office of Chief Secretary effectively disappears with the creation of the Irish Free State. It will be replaced with the role of Governor General.

The new cabinet will be immediately put to the test with a general election to be held in the coming weeks.

Speaking in London, Mr Bonar Law said that he has no doubt that the government would win a majority in the election. The recovery of the country could only be achieved through an improvement in trade and that could only come about if there was confidence in the government.

As to the economic direction he would lead the UK, the Prime Minister said his government would concentrate on retrenchment and reducing taxation. On foreign policy the focus would be on maintaining good relations and harmony with Britain’s allies.

In this silent film from the BFI, Prime Minister Andrew Bonar Law and his new cabinet assemble for the first time in the State Dining Room of No10. The year is 1922

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]