The Third Home Rule Bill: 1912

1912

• “Ireland today is peaceful beyond recall. She has almost entirely cast off her suspicions and her rancour towards this country (England)”• John Redmond, 1912, at the British

parliament debating the third Home Rule bill.

The Truth

• Redmond's words were proved widely inaccurate. •Within weeks, groups in ulster were

openly defying the right of parliament to impose Home Rule.•Within a year, rival military groups were

preparing for an armed conflict.•Within ten years, Ireland was in a civil war

and spilt into two separate governments.

Origins of Change

•These events were due to the third Home Rule bill.•In 1912, the British prime minister, Asquith, was reluctant to introduce the bill but the political situation left him little choice.

Elections• In 1906, Asquith’s liberals won the election

with a large majority. His government spend heavily on special welfare and defence. • In order to pay for these, the chancellor of

the Exchequer Lloyd George, proposed new and heavier taxes in his 1909 budget. • The budget was rejected by the house of

lords, which consisted mainly of conservatives.

1910

•This budget fight led to two elections in 1910. •After the second, the liberals and conservatives had 273 seats each. The new labour party had 43, and Redmond's I.N.P had 84 holding the palace of power.

Home Rules Opportunity

•The Home Rules chance had arrived. •Redmond offered his support to the liberals in return for Home Rule. Asquith and the I.N.P set up a bill to first limit the House of Lords power to veto bills.

Home Rule

• In 1911, the liberals and I.N.P passed a bill through the House of Commons.• The bill meant that any law passed through

the commons but rejected by the Lords would still become law after a two year wait. • There was now no opposition to Home Rule,

only a wait. • Asquith introduced the bill in 1912. Its terms

were simple.

Home Rule bill Terms

• An Irish parliament was to be responsible for most Irish domestic matters, such as education, health and agriculture;

• This Irish parliament would select an Irish executive (government);

• Matters such as defence, foreign policy and taxation remained under the control of the British parliament. So did legislation dealing with religious matters;

• The British parliament kept complete authority over the Irish parliament;

• Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom.

Home Rule

• Asquith and Redmond believed that the mild terms of the Home Rule bill would pacify its opponents.• This was a fatal mistake. They

underestimated the fierce determination of those who condemned Home Rule. They failed to realise that many were ready to resist Home Rule by any means, including armed Rebellion.