National Liberal Party (UK, 1922)
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National Liberal Party
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|---|---|
| Leader | David Lloyd George |
| Dissolved | November 13, 1923 |
| Merger of | Coalition Liberals, National Democratic Party |
| Merged into | Liberal Party |
| Headquarters | London |
| Newspaper | Lloyd George Liberal Magazine |
| Ideology |
British nationalism New liberalism Free trade |
| Political position | Centre |
| International affiliation | None |
The National Liberal Party, was a liberal political party in the United Kingdom from 1922 to 1923. It was created as a formal party organisation for those Liberals, led by Prime Minister David Lloyd George, who supported the Coalition Government (1918-22) and subsequently a revival of the Coalition, after it ceased holding office. It was a formal breakaway from the Liberal Party. It was wound up in 1923 when Lloyd George agreed a merger with the Liberal Party.
The "Coalition Coupon", often referred to as ‘the coupon’, referred to the letter sent to parliamentary candidates at the 1918 elections, endorsing them as official representatives of the Coalition Government. The 1918 election took place in the heady atmosphere of victory in the First World War and the desire for revenge against Germany and its allies. Receiving the coupon was interpreted by the electorate as a sign of patriotism that helped candidates gain election, while those who did not receive it had a more difficult time as they were sometimes seen as anti-war or pacifist. The letters were all dated 20 November 1918 and were signed by prime minister David Lloyd George for the Coalition Liberals and Andrew Bonar Law, the leader of the Conservative Party. As a result, the 1918 general election has become known as 'the coupon election'.
The letters all contained the same simple text:
Dear (name of candidate)
We have much pleasure in recognizing you as the Coalition Candidate for (name of constituency). We have every hope that the Electors will return you as their Representative in Parliament to support the government in the great task which lies before it.
Yours truly,
D. Lloyd George
A. Bonar Law
Some coalition candidates included the wording of the letter in their election addresses.
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