Decline and fall of the Liberal Party 1918-31

• Liberals had traditionally disliked excessive government interference in the economy and in people's lives, yet the war forced Liberals to take illiberal measures
• David Lloyd George, in favour of govt interference, ousted Liberal Henry Asquith as Prime Minister of the coalition govt in December 1916
• Many Liberals saw Lloyd George as a traitor to the party and continued to support Asquith as Liberal leader, the party was split and failed to reunite in time for the 1918 election
• The 'Maurice Debate' in 1918 cemented the personal bitterness between Asquith and Lloyd George, General Maurice wrote a public letter that accused Lloyd George of lying to parliament about number of troops on the Western Front, Asquith led the attack on him in parliament
• Lloyd George was forced into the curious position of relying on Conservative support in what became known as the 'Coupon' election