New coalition government announced in London
Abandonment of party system hints at severity of the war
Westminster, 25 May 1915 - A new coalition government has been announced in London by King George V.
The balance of the government sees the cabinet comprised of 13 Liberals and 9 Unionists. The measures required to be taken by the government to win the war are considered to be radical and demanding of support from across the political spectrum. Accordingly, the establishment of a coalition government and the effective abandonment of party politics is a clear indication of the gravity of the challenge facing the United Kingdom as the war with Germany and its allies continues.
Confidential police report for Waterford, May 1915: 'The recent changes in the Government has caused musch discussion. Generally it is approved of as being likely to tend towards a more vigorous prosecution of the war. Nationalists are displeased with the appointment of Sir Edward Carson and are of opinion that the chances of Home Rule seem to be jeopardised. Some of them even go so far as to say that no more Nationalist Irishmen should enlist.' Click to view in full. (Image: National Archives UK, CO 904/97)
Who's doing what?
Herbert Asquith remains as Prime Minister, and he is now joined by the leader of the Conservative Party, Andrew Bonar Law, who has been appointed as Colonial Secretary.
Dr Conor Mulvagh on Liberals, Tories and the Irish Question in the years leading up to the First World War.
Sir Edward Grey remains as Foreign Secretary, while Lord Lansdowne, the leading Unionist peer, has been made Minister without Portfolio. The former Chancellor of the Exchequer, David Lloyd George, has moved to assume the newly-created role of Minister of Munitions.
Sir Edward Carson has been appointed as Attorney-General and the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, John Redmond, declined to accept a role in the new coalition government.
[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.]
