Motives of Liberal Reforms Essay Plan Template
In your introduction, explain that the motives for the Liberal Reforms can be split into 2
groups – firstly, a genuine desire to help the poor, and secondly, trying to introduce reforms
for political advantage (to take votes from the Labour Party)
Paragraph 1 – Surveys of Booth and Rowntree
Explain how the surveys conducted by Booth (London) and Rowntree (York) showed the
extent of poverty in both York and London – more than 30%.
KU: Reports found that more than 30% of the population was living in poverty.
A: More than most people believed and showed that a lot of people were affected by it, not
just a small percentage (3%) like previously thought.
KU: Reports highlighted the main causes of poverty were not self-inflicted – poverty often
caused by the death of a bread-winner, old age, sickness or unemployment.
A: This challenged the government’s policy of ‘laissez-faire’ - people poor through no fault of
their own, not always possible for them to get themselves out of poverty.
A: Surveys had shown that poverty was not self-inflicted, it gave the government a mandate
to introduce welfare reforms which would be accepted by the public – helping the ‘deserving
poor’ – Free School Meals, Old Age Pension and National Insurance Act.
Paragraph 2 – National Stock / Efficieny
Try and make a link explaining that the poverty highlighted by Booth and Rowntree was having
a direct impact on Britain’s ability to fight in wars and this was another reason why reforms
were introduced.
KU: 1/3 of recruits in Boer War rejected on medical grounds – government would have to
ensure basic health of the population
A: Shocked at the poor physical condition of the working class – if they were to maintain
their status as a world power they would need to improve the health of the recruits.
KU: Basic reforms had been introduced in Germany with positive results
A: Growing population in Germany meant that they were becoming more of a threat – if
Britain were to keep up with Germany they would need to introduce welfare reforms to
improve the health of the population – e.g Free School Meals and medical Inspection.
It was clear that poor health not only affected the population, it also affected Britain as a
nation defending the realm.
Paragraph 3 – Fear of the Labour Party / Socialism
Explain that reforms were not just introduced out of genuine care for the poor – the Liberals
needed to offer reforms to attract working class voters who might otherwise vote for the
new Labour Party.
KU: Traditionally the Liberals were supported by the Working Class (Scotland, Wales, N.
England) – the new Labour Party were offering the working class reform (pensions, school
meals etc)
A: Liberals did not just introduce reforms out of concern for poor - to prevent loss of votes
to the Labour Party, introduced limited reform to attract working class (set pensions at 70
to make them less expensive)
Paragraph 4 – New Liberalism
The Liberals also knew that the old style of Liberalism was not appealing to the new working
class.
KU: Old Liberalism meant ‘Laissez-faire’ and this did not appeal to the working class – surveys
had shown the poverty was not always self-inflicted.
A: New Liberalism introduced in 1906 to offer reforms to win working class vote
KU: Lloyd George and Churchill noticed that Britain was not as good as Germany in the way
that it helped the poor.
A: New Liberal politicians wanted to make a name for themselves in the party and make sure
that the Liberals were not losing support to the Conservatives. Put forward ideas about
reform for Free School Meals – they would be noticed by the public and support for party.
A: New Liberals knew that they needed to introduce limited reform if they were to keep
voters from going to the Labour Party.