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Historical society

BRITAIN’S only Welsh Prime Minister walked into Number 10 Downing Street 100 years ago.

To mark the anniversary, historical society committee member Tony Richards gave a fascinating and detailed account of David Lloyd George’s rise to political power.

‘From Dwyfor to Downing Street’ focused on the years leading up to his Downing Street entrance and the complexities in the character of the Caernarfonshire MP.

Tony, a former politics student who worked at the House of Commons, spoke of how it was difficult to separate man from myth, a man who was both idolised and despised, who was anti-Boer War but who supported the empire.

Lloyd George’s attitudes were shaped by his Welsh upbringing in his uncle’s cottage at Llanystumdwy. His uncle, a strong liberal, nurtured the boy and allowed him to use the Lloyd name.

Although David was spoilt, he was not immune to injustice, and saw the sackings and evictions because men voted liberal in the 1868 election, the last to be held before the secret ballot was introduced.

During a school inspection he led a children’s protest, refusing to recite the religious creed of the Church of England.

He won the Caernarfon boroughs seat in 1890 by 18 votes, and held the seat for 55 years.

When he was elected, MPs were not paid so he was supported by his brother William George, who ran the family legal business.

At first David Lloyd George concentrated on Welsh affairs and campaigned for home rule, but graduated in international topics with his opposition of the Boer War.

Because of his stance, the legal business suffered, his son, Richard was bullied at school, and Lloyd George was abused at public meetings in Bangor and Criccieth.

Later, he became president of the board of trade and then Chancellor of the Exchequer when his 1908 people’s budget brought in the Old Age Pension and prompted rules for the House of Lords, preventing peers from rejecting such moves.

His National Insurance Bill of 1911 is regarded as the foundation of the Welfare State.

Mr Richards quoted Lloyd George: “The finest eloquence is that which gets things done and the worst is that which delays them.” Mr Richards said that the debate continues today whether Lloyd George acted responsibly or was guilty of conspiracy.

The next event will be the society’s annual dinner on 13 December. The next talk will be on 10 January at 7.30pm in Harlech Memorial Hall, when the society’s study group will present Harlech’s Home Front 1914-18. All welcome. Members free.

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