BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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century received a mixed response within party circles.
In actual fact
these policies represented only a more emphatic endorsement of
proposals originated by "fair trade" proponents in the 1880's, namely,
to institute retaliatory tariffs against unfair competitors.
The most sustained political controversies which surfaced in
the Liberal administration of 1906-1914 likewise suggested a failure to
move beyond nineteenth century conflicts.
Thus, the budget of 1909,
the Parliament Act of 1911, and the introduction of Home Rule
legislation in 1912 reflected a concerted and ultimately successful
effort on the part of the Liberal government to overcome the obstacles
posed by Lord Salisbury's rule between 1885 and 1902 and ensure the
primacy of the House of Commons over the House of Lords as the
preeminent governing body in Great Britain.
Ill
In tracing the development of the Primrose League, the thesis
has challenged the prevalent interpretations provided by Cecil, Taylor,
Marsh, et al. of the Marquis of Salisbury, the Conservative party
leader in the period under study.
In general scholars have deemphasized
the extent of his power and influence in office, focusing
instead on his stated preference for the management of the Foreign
Office over the duties of the prime-ministership.
They have likewise
stressed his limitations and reticence in directing or influencing
members of the Cabinet, the Lords, or errant parliamentarians. These
perceptions have contributed to the mistaken impression of Salisbury as