The Strange Survival of Liberal Britain: Politics and Power Before the First World War

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But 2022 could end that civil war, for it is now the hard Brexiteers and the free marketeers who have been de-legitimised. The demise of Trussonomics has proved, once again, that we live in an interconnected world. While of course Brexit is yesterday’s argument, it is now clear that we cannot hope to prosper without a better relationship with the EU. The night in Oxford was the most beautiful event I have ever done. Not just the spectacular setting (of the Sheldonian), but an unforgettable evening. Brexit, declared Labour pro-European, Roy Jenkins, during the first European referendum campaign in 1975, would put Britain into “an old people’s home for fading nations”. He added, “I do not think it would be a very comfortable old people’s home. I do not like the look of some of the prospective wardens”. Of the three wardens since 2016, Theresa May fell because her Brexit deal was unacceptable to Conservatives, and replaced by Boris Johnson to “get Brexit done”. Then Trussonomics sought to prove the viability of Global Britain outside the EU. It is a law of economic gravity that we trade more with nearby countries than with those more distant. As David Cameron pointed out during the referendum campaign, we trade more with Ireland than with Brazil, Russia, India and China combined.

H. Herwig, ‘Luxury’ Fleet: The Imperial German Navy, 1888 – 1918, George Allen & Unwin, London, 1980, p.50 Vernon Bogdanor's new book The Strange Survival of Liberal Britain re-thinks the two turbulent decades prior to the First World War that have previously been seen as one of decadence, of the strange death of liberal Britain. The crisis of 2022 could prove a turning point in British politics. It is the culmination of a period of instability inaugurated by the Brexit referendum of 2016, which caused the immediate resignation of Prime Minister, David Cameron, and three further prime ministerial resignations since 2019. their intelligence – this makes a huge difference for a speaker. In the Oxford audience I encountered many experts in the field my book covered and even one of the ambassadors I’d quotedAs thorough a political history of Edwardian England as you could desire.” Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph The years 1895 to 1914 were formative. They heralded a new agenda which still dominates our politics. The issues of the period - economic modernisation, social welfare and social equality, secondary and technical education, a new role for Britain in the world - were complex and difficult. If you think you know the British political scene from 1895 to 1914, think again. Vernon Bogdanor has the habit of unearthing gems that have been missed by others. He does it again in this magisterial work on post-Gladstonian Britain by challenging some of the long-established myths about this period that deserve to be cast aside.” Professor Malcolm Murfett, King’s College London

Every literary festival stays in an author’s mind for slightly individual reasons. I shall remember the Oxford festival for: Imperial Conference on the Subject of the Defence of the Empire 1909, Imperial Conference Secretariat, October 1909, CO886/2, p.24-28Masterly. The debate over the tumultuous years before 1914 has occupied historians ever since George Dangerfield published The Strange Death of Liberal England in 1935. Vernon Bogdanor gives a magisterial rebuttal, demonstrating the robustness of Britain’s institutions at a time of political change. He provides a fascinating tour d’horizon of the Edwardian political scene. This must be a definitive account.” Professor Jane Ridley, author of George V: Never a Dull Moment A stimulating and rewarding on-stage conversation; a lively informed and tolerant audience; privileged access to the great treasures of the Bodleian, and finally, wonderfully interesting dinner companions to help me conclude the best day I have enjoyed at any festival – anywhere. The late Victorians and Edwardians confronted these challenges but did not succeed in resolving them. These are also the problems of today, and we have not succeeded in resolving them either. The period has often been seen as one of decadence, of the strange death of liberal Britain. LSE has now introduced wireless for guests and visitors in association with 'The Cloud', also in use at many other locations across the UK. If you are on campus visiting for the day or attending a conference or event, you can connect your device to wireless. See more information and create an account at Join the Cloud. I would have advised the Liberals to put more emphasis on technical education and to create further education colleges specialising in technical education.

R. Massie, Dreadnought: Britain, Germany and the Coming of the Great War, Jonathan Cape, London, 1992, p. 222The LSE School of Public Policy( @LSEPublicPolicy) equips you with the skills and ideas to transform people and societies. It is an international community where ideas and practice meet. Their approach creates professionals with the ability to analyse, understand and resolve the challenges of contemporary governance. As generations of students know, Vernon Bogdanor is an unrivalled expert on history and politics, and this book brilliantly brings together his thoughts – crisp, authoritative and lucid – on a vital, transformational period of Britain’s past.” Nicholas Owen, associate professor of politics, University of Oxford The collapse of Trussonomics is a devastating blow to the cheerleaders of Brexit (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images) Between 1895 to 1914, Britain’s political landscape was changed for ever. It was a period of transition from aristocratic rule to mass politics and heralded a new agenda which still dominates today. The issues of the period – economic modernisation, social welfare and equality, secondary and technical education, a new role for Britain in the world – were complex and difficult. Indeed, they proved so thorny that despite the efforts of the Edwardians they remain among the most pressing problems we face in the twenty-first century. The Oxford festival is the most elegant and atmospheric of literary festivals. It’s a pleasure to both attend and perform there.

If you could have lunch with two of the people mentioned in The Strange Survival of Liberal Britain, who would it be and why? Vernon Bogdanor believes the turbulent years of 1895 to 1914 changed Britain’s political landscape and delves in to the reasons why in his wide-ranging and sometimes controversial book The Strange Survival of Liberal Britain. Here is a flavour of what is to come in a short Q&A with Vernon himself.

Speakers:

The Cloud is only intended for guest and visitor access to wifi. Existing LSE staff and students are encouraged to use eduroaminstead. I would have advised the Conservatives not to reject the 1909 Budget! Rejection damaged the party’s interests by leading to a restriction of the powers of the Lords, and the introduction of an Irish Home Rule bill. Had the Conservatives not raised the constitutional issue, they might well have regained power at the next election. Often as an author, I only occasionally get to meet the public who buy and read my books. The Oxford Literary Festival was a special opportunity for me and certainly one of the highlights of my career – it was an honour I will never forget. Vernon Bogdanor CBE is professor of government at the Institute of Contemporary British History, King’s College London. He is a fellow of the British Academy, the Royal Historical Society and the Academy of Social Sciences and an honorary fellow of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. Nor did the red wall voters seek a smaller state. They wanted more state intervention not less, especially after Covid so starkly revealed the inequalities which still disfigure Britain. A country in which financiers rake in millions amidst queues for food banks was not one of which they could feel proud.