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Liberal Politics and the Grey Conspiracy of 1921

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2009

Michael Bentley
Michael Bentley
Affiliation:
University of Sheffield
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Extract

The possibility of Viscount Grey's return to active political life after his resignation from the Foreign Office in 1916 is one which historians have treated with understandable scepticism. Grey's well-documented distaste for political intrigue, his love of things pastoral and aesthetic, his failing health in general and eyesight in particular and hispatent joy at being released from office in 1916 lend force to the thoughtthat he was never likely to be brought back to the world of politics. ‘[H]e was always too blind and often too ill to lead a party, or to aspire to office,’ his friend and biographer G. M. Trevelyan wrote a few years after Grey's death; and more recendy Professor Robbins, whilst he concedes that there was a political dimension within Grey's make-up which Trevelyan was wont to ignore, likewise examines the period after 1916 rather dismissively. One consequence of this view of Grey's political biography has been the neglect of what has been seen to be an attempt on the part of some Liberals to remove Asquith from the leadership of the Liberal party in 1921 and to substitute Grey. The assumption has been that because Grey personally was likely to have been a poor conspirator, conspiracies involving him must have been unpromising or trivial. It is, on the contrary, the point of this article to suggest that the Grey conspiracy of 1921 should be seen as a significant development in the three-party situation which characterized post-war politics; and to argue that the conspiracy had little to do with Grey and a great deal to do with other politicians, of diverse background, party affiliation, position and ambition, who were looking for a new way to obtain some purchase on the politics of the centre.

Type
Articles
Information
The Historical Journal , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , June 1977 , pp. 461 - 478
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

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References

1 Trevelyan, G. M., Grey of Falloden (London, 1937), p. 337Google Scholar. The conspiracy of 1921 received at Trevelyan's hands one short paragraph of recollection contributed by Lord Robert Cecil (op. cit. p. 357).

2 Robbins, Keith, Sir Edward Grey: a biography of Lord Grey of Falloden (London, 1971), pp. 345–72Google Scholar.

3 Cecil to Spender, 30 Aug. 1921, Spender MSS 46393, fos. 57–8.

4 For Henderson see Mosley–s reference to ‘a meeting at my house in the early 1920s’ quoted in Douglas, Roy, The history of the Liberal party (London, 1971), p. 158Google Scholar.

5 See The Times, 3 Mar. 1919.

6 Hansard (Lords), 5s (46), 738. Grey was a director of the North Eastern Railway.

7 He appeared only once at a major event-the Albert Hall meeting of June 1919, reported in The Times, 14 June 1919.

8 Examples of Grey's reticence are contained in Grey to Bryce, 27 July 1917, Bryce MSS, UB7; Grey to Murray, 12 Sept. 1917, Murray MSS; Grey to Runciman, 5 Dec. 1917, Runciman MSS.

9 Grey to Runciman, 9 Dec. 1917, Runciman MSS. He did concede, however, that the ‘impulse to intervene in public affairs often c[ame]’.

10 Lansdowne to Runciman, 9 Dec. 1917; and Grey to Runciman, i5Dec. 1917, Runciman MSS.

11 Grey to Courtney, 31 Dec. 1917, quoted in Gooch, G. P., Life of Lord Courtney (London, 1920), p. 605Google Scholar.

12 Hardinge to Grey (copy), 14 Mar. 1918, Hardinge MSS 36, fo. 313. For Grey's favourable opinion of Hardinge, see Haldane, Elizabeth, From one century to another (London, 1937). P. 299Google Scholar.

13 Viscount Grey of Falloden, , The League of Nations (London, 1918)Google Scholar.

14 Grey to Montagu, 9 Sept. 1918, Montagu MSS. Montagu was by this time a firm member of Lloyd George's retinue and not someone, therefore, with whom Grey would be very open. For Montagu's view of the Liberal split see Waley, S. D., Edwin Montagu (London, 1964) pp. 113–16Google Scholar.

15 Asquith to Murray, 4 Oct. 1918, Murray MSS:‘It will be a great thing to bring Greý into the open - even for a moment.’

16 Grey to Murray, 9 Mar. 1919, Murray MSS; also quoted in Trevelyan, , Grey, p. 350Google Scholar.

17 Grey to Balfour, 3 June 1919, Balfour MSS 49731, fos. 184–5.

18 Fisher diary, 14 Feb. 1920, Fisher MSS.

19 For the American visit, see Robbins, , Grey, pp. 352–3.Google Scholar

20 Scott Diary, 16/17 Mar. 1920: ‘I asked would he serve under Grey and he at once said unhesitatingly and cordially “Certainly”. I said in that case the succession would inevitably be his. He said he was not troubling about that.’ See Wilson, Trevor (ed.), The political diaries of C. P. Scott, 1911–28 (London, 1970), p. 384Google Scholar.

21 E.g. Runciman to Murray, 11 Dec. 1919, Murray MSS.

22 Cecil to Runciman, 24 Jan. 1920, Runciman MSS.

23 Cowling, Maurice, The impact of Labour, 1920–24 (Cambridge, 1971), p. 60Google Scholar.

24 Murray to Runciman, 30 Jan. 1920, Runciman MSS.

25 Murray to Buckmaster (enc), 10 July 1920, Murray MSS.

26 Murray, , ‘Notes about Lord Grey’ (dated 1933)Google Scholar, Murray MSS.

27 Grey discussed the differences with artificial charity in a public letter: see The Times, 9 Oct. 1920. The Lloyd Georgians were naturally delighted by the division and played on it in their propaganda; see, for example, Lloyd George Liberal Magazine, Nov. 1920.

28 Grey to Asquith, 20 Oct. 1920, Asquith MSS 34, fo. 1.

29 Business man and administrator, chairman of innumerable government committees. Gladstone found him ‘an interesting man - direct and shrewd’.

30 Son of the earl of Carlisle and Gilbert Murray's brother-in-law. M.P. for Westbury, 1911–18. The Liberal year book for 1921 describes him as being, with Rea and Sir Arthur Marshall, ‘responsible for organization work in constituencies’.

31 M.P. for Scarborough, 1906–18; contested Oldham in 1918 and Nelson and Colne in by-election in 1920; former Liberal whip. Asquith met him for the first time in 1919 and was ‘favourably’ impressed (Asquith to Murray, 30 Sept. 1919, Murray MSS).

32 Herbert Gladstone to Henry Gladstone, 16 Dec. 1920, Glynne-Gladstone MSS.

33 Arthur Murray diary, 23 Dec. 1920, Elibank MSS 8815, fo. 47.

34 Herbert Gladstone to Henry Gladstone, 27 Feb. 1921, Glynne-Gladstone MSS. Crewe had been leader in the Lords since early in 1919: see Hennessy, J. Pope, Lord Crewe (London, 1955), pp. 152–3Google Scholar. Grey did in fact succeed him in 1923.

35 Henry Gladstone to Herbert Gladstone, 10 Mar. 1921, Glynne-Gladstone MSS. They could ‘go solid to the Country on this question’.

36 Hudson to Gladstone, 25 Mar. 1921, Gladstone MSS 46475, fo. 1.

37 Cowling, , Impact of Labour, p. 103Google Scholar. Cf. Cowdray to Maclean, 31 Dec. 1921:‘I have asked Gladstone to let me know when I should contribute to R.C.'s fund - as I strongly feel I must’ (Maclean MSS 466, fo. 116).

38 Arthur Murray to Wiseman, 28 July 1919, Elibank MSS 8808, fos. 30–1.

39 Hudson to Gladstone, 28 June 1921, Gladstone MSS 46475, fo. 15.

40 Rundman to Murray, 27 Jan. 1920, Murray MSS.

41 Cowdray to Arthur Murray, 28 Apr. 1921, Elibank MSS 8808, fo. 104. (Emphasis in original.)

42 Gladstone to Gilbert Murray, 29 Apr. 1921, Murray MSS.

43 Hammond to Murray (copy), 15 Apr. 1922, Murray MSS.

44 E.g. Cecil to Runciman, 13 Jan. 1921:‘I am very much afraid…that Grey will not accept candidature as rival Prime Minister.’ Runciman MSS.

45 Gladstone to Gilbert Murray, 22 Apr. 1921, Murray MSS.

46 Cecil to Grey (not sent), 12 Apr. 1921, Cecil MSS 51073, fo. 81.

47 Hugh Cecil to Robert Cecil, 12 Jan. 1921, Cecil MSS 51157, fo. 47.

48 Fisher diary, 4 Oct. 1922, Fisher MSS. In February Frances Stevenson had seen the two groups as part of one problem: ‘D. is anxious to have a ‘go’ at the Wee Frees & especially Grey. On the other hand the Unionists are very disgruntled and there are rumours that some are making an effort to get rid of the Coalition’ (Diary, 3 Feb. 1922 in Taylor, A. J. P. (ed.), Lloyd George: a diary by Frances Stevenson (London, 1971), p. 240)Google Scholar.

49 Murray to Gladstone (copy), 24 Apr. 1921, Murray MSS.

50 Runciman to ‘Peter’, 6 May 1921, Elibank MSS 8808, fo. 106.

51 Cowdray to Arthur Murray, 6 May 1921, and Gladstone to same, 10 May 1921, Elibank MSS 8808, fos. 107, 110.

52 Hudson to Maclean, 10 May 1921, Maclean MSS466, fo. 42.

53 Jenkins, Roy, Asquith (London, 1964), pp. 490–1Google Scholar. Mr Jenkins appears to accept Asquith's explanation for the delay in contacting Grey, i.e. that he (Asquith) was concerned about Grey's health.

54 Gladstone to Gilbert Murray, 2 June 1921, Murray MSS.

55 Gladstone to Gilbert Murray, 20 June 1921, Murray MSS.

56 Hudson to Gladstone, 28 June 1921, Gladstone MSS 46475, fos. 13–14.

57 See, for example, Jenkins, , Asquith, pp. 491–2Google Scholar; Douglas, , History of the Liberal Party, p. 158Google Scholar; Cowling, , Impact of Labour, p. 103Google Scholar.

58 Most accounts are based on a run of documents in the Asquith MSS, vol. XXXIV. Particularly relevant are folios 3–4, 6, 8–9, II, 17–18, 24–5, 26–8, 30–31.

59 Henry Gladstone to Herbert Gladstone, 25 May 1921, Glynne-Gladstone MSS.

60 Jones to Law, 22 July 1921, Law MSS 107/1/46. Jones did not take the conspiracy very seriously.

61 Hamilton to Gilbert Murray, 9 Aug. 1921, Murray MSS.

62 Arthur Murray to Reading (copy), 7 Oct. 1921, Elibank MSS 8808, fo. 132.

63 For Scott's entry into the preparations, see Scott Diary, 9 Aug. 1921, in Wilson, , Political diaries, pp. 398–9Google Scholar, and Scott to Maclean, 12 Aug. 1921, Maclean MSS 466, fo. 74. For what Asquith called the ‘salting’ of the press, see Maclean to ‘Peter’, 28 Sept. 1921, Elibank MSS 8808, fo. 126.

64 Runciman to Cecil, 22 Aug. 1921, Cecil MSS 51163, fo. II.

65 Runciman to ‘Peter’, 22 Sept. 1921, Elibank MSS 8808, fo. 125.

66 Hudson to Gladstone, 30 Sept. 1921, Gladstone MSS 46475, fo. 16.

67 Grey's speech was fully reported in The Times, 11 Oct. 1921.

68 Northern Echo, 11 Oct. 1921.

69 Northern Echo, 18 Oct. 1921.

70 Hardinge to Cecil, 15 Nov. 1921, Cecil MSS 51163, fo. 37. The king, according to Hardinge, read the memorandum ‘with great interest’.

71 There is a copy of the memorandum, dated 11 Nov. 1921, in Cecil MSS 51163, fos.

72 Lloyd George Liberal Magazine, Nov. 1921 and June 1922.

73 Gladstone to Crewe, 12 Dec. 1921, Crewe MSS C/16.

74 Herbert Gladstone to Henry Gladstone, 23 Dec. 1921, Glynne-Gladstone MSS; memo, by Gladstone, 19 Jan. 1922, Maclean MSS 466, fo. 138.

75 Gladstone to Hudson, 5 Feb. 1922, Gladstone MSS 46475, fo. 24.

76 Margot Asquith to Gilbert Murray, 4 May 1922, Murray MSS (emphasis in original).

77 Gladstone to Cecil, 18 July 1922, Cecil MSS 51163, fo. 110.

78 The Times, 13 and 24 Oct. 1921.

79 Gladstone to Gilbert Murray, 18 Jan. 1922, Murray MSS.

80 Sunday Pictorial, 29 Jan. 1922.

81 The Times, 23 Feb. and 8 Mar. 1922.

82 Gladstone to Murray, 25 Jan. 1922, Murray MSS.

83 Gladstone to Phillipps, 13 Feb. 1922, Gladstone MSS 45989, fo. 244.

84 The letter, dated 19 April, was printed in The Times, 22 Apr. 1922.

85 Gladstone to Murray, 20 Apr. 1922, Murray MSS.

86 Letter from Murray, The Times, 26 Apr. 1922.

87 Letter from Berkeley, Ibid.; and Berkeley to Cecil, 27 Apr. 1922, Cecil MSS 51163, fo. 88.

88 Cecil to Berkeley (copy), 2 May 1922, Cecil MSS 51163, fos. 90–1.

89 See, for example, a draft of a speech to his constituents, dated 12 May 1922, Cecil MSS 51073, fos. 27–8, and his speech of 21 July 1922, reported in the Lloyd George Liberal Magazine, Aug. 1922.

90 Cecil to Gladstone (copy), 12 July 1922, Cecil MSS 51163, fos. 107–8.

91 Gladstone to Cecil, 1 Sept. 1922, Cecil MSS 51163, fo. 112; Cecil to Lady Gladstone, 16 Sept. 1922, Ibid. fo. II8. It is worth recalling that Lady Gladstone had gained the confidence of Cecil through her position in the League of Nations Union and may have acted as a go-between throughout the negotiations. Cf. Herbert to Henry Gladstone, 20 July 1920, Glynne-Gladstone MSS.

92 Cecil to Gladstone (copy), 30 Sept. 1922, Cecil MSS 51163, fo. 118.

93 Cecil to Asquith, 9 Oct. 1922, Asquith MSS 18, fo. 81; copy in Cecil MSS 51073, fos.30–3.

94 Asquith to Cecil, 19 Oct. 1922, Cecil MSS 51073, fos. 36–9.

95 Sir Pease, Alfred, Elections and recollections (London, 1932), p. 103Google Scholar.

96 Strachey to Lady Grey (copy), 24 Oct. 1922, Strachey MSS S/7/8/36.

97 Stansgate diary, 6 Feb. 1922, Stansgate MSS.

98 See, for example, McKenna's insistence in 1911 that Grey be kept in the Commons so that he could succeed Asquith: Pease diary, 1 Mar. 1911, Pease MSS.

99 Dickinson to Gilbert Murray (copy), 10 Apr. 1919, Dickinson MSS 403, fo. 140.

100 For an exhaustive account of the development of Die-Hard politics, see Cowling, , The impact of Labour, pp. 70–212Google Scholar.

101 When Arthur Murray saw ‘that splendid fellow’ Hudson in 1921 he was still seeing the man ‘who gave Alick [Murray] …such immense help in Parliament Bill days.’ See Murray to Reading, Mar. 1923, quoted in Murray, Arthur, Master and brother (London, 1945), p. 189Google Scholar.

102 Gladstone to Grey, 6 Aug. 1929, Gladstone MSS, 45992, fo. 164.

103 For the 1916 overture see Hudson's D.N.B. entry. The later one is suggested by an undated memo, by Gladstone, probably written after Hudson's death in 1927, Gladstone MSS 46021, fo. 183.

104 MacCallum Scott diary, 26 Nov. 1927. The author is very grateful to Mr John MacCallum Scott for granting access to this source.