New Liberalism

The Whigs were seen within the party as very conservative in manner. New Liberalism appeared in opposition to traditionalist views, built from radicalist and reformist attitudes. William Gladstone was the leader of the party, and was very out of touch in radical reform.

GLADSTONE'S BELIEFS
Gladstone believed in progress from self-achievement and individual effort, and the government should never directly intervene with reforming, such as pensions. Gladstone believed in:
- Laissez faire or non-interference and freedom
- Business should face minimal taxation and no intervention from the government
- The government should only intervene if there was a moral principle to be defended

His idea's in turn were very conservative although he was a more reformist Peelite. He became more liberal when growing older such as religious differences. These were limited however as he thought not all men had to right to vote and that voting should be achieved through education. He hated the idea of compulsory state education. This was frustrating for the radicals in the party such as J.Chamberlain who decided to write some principles for a future liberal government, known as the Unauthorised Programme
- Abolition of school fees (compulsory education)
- Compulsory land purchase for allotments
- Graduated property tax for reforms
- CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
- Disestablish the Anglican church

Gladstone did not accept but didn’t condemn either and this was the start of New Liberalism. Home Rule led to JC going to the conservatives, and so 5 years on, Gladstone was forced the accept a radical manifesto known as ‘Newcastle Programme’ due to a looming election
- Home rule
- Compulsory land purchase
- Worker regulations – working day hours
- Greater employment liability

Some radicals then went on to discuss the future, very RADICAL of the party which terrified Gladstone.
- Pensions for the elderly
- Sickness benefits
- Unemployment benefits
- Education for children benefits

OVERVIEW
This emergence of New Liberalism finally started to show the difference between the conservative party and the new liberal attitude, although Gladstone mainly disagreed with these principles. The Liberals appeared to be working for the working class through meaningful reformation proposals. This move away from traditional liberalism saw the means of greater government intervention and spending on reform with graduated taxes and collective responsibility, in the form of the Newcastle Programme with the means to reform of 3 mains areas of society.