AT the General Election of 1906 a Liberal government was elected with a massive Parliamentary majority.
It included two young rising politicians, David Lloyd-George and Winston Churchill, who played key roles in a great reforming administration which ended the right of the House of Lords to reject legislation passed by the House of Commons. It pushed through the National Insurance Act which provided old age pensions, unemployment and sick benefits and set up Labour exchanges to help the unemployed find work.
It also formed wages councils and the Industrial Injuries Board.
It provided free school meals for poor children, more money to improve housing and maternity care and helped industry and farming to export more and grow more food.
Now, in 1997, the Labour Government also has a massive Parliamentary majority.
Like the Liberal Government of Edwardian Britain will it also be a reforming administration?
JOHN PORTER, Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article