Independent Liberal Party (UK, 1918) facts for kids
The Independent Liberal Party was a group of politicians in the United Kingdom. It formed in 1918 and was led by H. H. Asquith. This group was against the government of the time, which was a "Coalition government." A coalition government is when different political parties work together. This one was led by another Liberal politician, David Lloyd George.
At the 1918 election, candidates who supported Lloyd George's government received a special letter called the "Coalition Coupon." This coupon showed voters that they were backed by the government. The Independent Liberal Party was not truly separate from the main Liberal Party. Instead, they were independent from David Lloyd George and his government. People sometimes called them the Wee Free Party.
Why the Party Formed
The "Coalition Coupon" was given to some Liberal politicians but not to others. This made Asquith's supporters unhappy. They decided to form their own group in Parliament to oppose Lloyd George's government.
Because of this, the 1918 election was often a three-way race. Voters could choose between candidates from:
- The Coalition Government (Lloyd George's side)
- The Independent Liberal Party (Asquith's side)
- The Labour Party
After the 1918 Election
The Independent Liberal Party continued to exist in Parliament until 1922. However, it was much weaker after the 1918 election. Only 28 of their candidates won seats. Even H. H. Asquith himself lost his seat in East Fife.
Between 1918 and 1922, there were 24 special elections called by-elections. These are elections held to fill a vacant seat in Parliament. In these elections, the Independent Liberal candidates usually received only about 24 to 28 percent of the votes. This showed they did not have strong public support.
