Leadership after Gladstone

When Gladstone retired, there was no immediate stand-in for the leadership as he had been such a dominant force in the liberal party. This begged the question of whether the new leader would be a Radicalist or a traditionalist. Joseph Chamberlain who had gone to the conservatives was now out of the question, which led to 5 hopefuls being up to the job.

The first was Lord Rosebery, a prominent figure in the party who was an expert with foreign policy and did actually succeed as leader after Gladstone’s retirement. His interest in the premiership however was erratic and wished to lead on his own opinions rather than through a cabinet and was not favoured by the radicals of the party. Still he never ruled a comeback to the party after resigning.

The second, Herbert Henry Asquith was a very radical nonconformist and was incredibly gifted as a barrister. It looked imminent that he would eventually become leader but was seen as rather young at barely 40, and Asquith’s aristocratic wife gave him useful ties. Asquith remained as a barrister until a PM salary would be stable for his wife’s needs.

Sir William Harcourt was Gladstone’s Chancellor of the Exchequer and a veteran politician and very experienced. He too was very traditionalist and was widely respected. However he did not inspire unity in the party, and resigned from active politics, tired of the political divisions within the party.

Sir Edward Grey was Rosebery’s second in command at foreign office and to take a lead on the foreign policy in the commons. He was very close to Asquith as a friend and was also incredibly young, his leadership seemed unlikely.

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was a very experienced liberal leader, originally secretary of state for war and Irish secretary. he was not in the best state of health and he had become more radical with age, and did not find any opposition as this turn of fate meant he was perfect for the leadership role as a temporary leader, which allowed politicians such as Grey, Asquith and LG to bide their time and gather necessary experience.

SUMMARY
Gladstones leadership was dominant, JC the most likely was now conservative
Leadership question down to five candidates

ROSEBERY - First succeeded, gifted in foreign policy but erratic and often ignored the cabinet
H.H ASQUITH - Young and gifted nonconformist reformer. Looked likely in the future, just needed a good wage
WILL HARCOURT - Chancellor of Excheq of old, did succeed rosebery but resigned over divisions within the party
GREY - A gifted man, but too close to Asquith personally to go against him
H.C-BANNERMAN - More reformist with age, fragile health state and particularly moderate in views, the perfect temporary leader for the divided liberals, he allowed others to gain experience and begin the Liberal Reforms.