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Bonar Law
Among those statesmen who reached the peak of British politics in this century, Bonar Law remains the least known. A Canadian-born Glasgow businessman, he entered politics in 1900; within four years he was a member of Balfour’s government, and by 1911 he was the head of the Conservative Party. In the twelve years that followed, he reunited and reorganized the party following three electoral defeats, thus preparing the party for the century of frequent electoral success that lay ahead.
During World War I, Bonar Law put aside party differences to cooperate with the Liberal Lloyd George, becoming virtually co-premier with the ingenious Welshman, whose reputation as “the man who won the war” owes much to their alliance. The cooperation of Conservatives and Liberals prospered until Bonar Law’s retirement in 1921, when tensions between the parties led to the end of the coalition. In 1922, the Conservatives turned again to him, and although his health was poor, he agreed to take the premiership, thereby definitively removing Conservatism from Lloyd George’s shadow.
Under his skillful direction, one of the most abrasive and enduring problems of British politics was the division of Ireland was finally effected. Though in public Bonar Law was one of Unionism’s “hard men,” behind the scenes he struggled for a compromise acceptable to Ulstermen, Irish Nationalists, and the British parties, a compromise that led to the separation of Northern Ireland.
In this illuminating biography, the first in more than forty years, the author refutes the hard-faced and shadowy image that has long represented Bonar Law. In its place, the author reveals an effective political leader who mastered his party and the House of Commons as few others had done, while at the same time becoming one of the best loved men in the House by colleagues of all parties. Bonar Law is also shown to be a complex and tragic person—a passionate husband, an indulgent father, and a generous friend—who was nonetheless a lifelong depressive whose private life was cursed by terrible losses.
During World War I, Bonar Law put aside party differences to cooperate with the Liberal Lloyd George, becoming virtually co-premier with the ingenious Welshman, whose reputation as “the man who won the war” owes much to their alliance. The cooperation of Conservatives and Liberals prospered until Bonar Law’s retirement in 1921, when tensions between the parties led to the end of the coalition. In 1922, the Conservatives turned again to him, and although his health was poor, he agreed to take the premiership, thereby definitively removing Conservatism from Lloyd George’s shadow.
Under his skillful direction, one of the most abrasive and enduring problems of British politics was the division of Ireland was finally effected. Though in public Bonar Law was one of Unionism’s “hard men,” behind the scenes he struggled for a compromise acceptable to Ulstermen, Irish Nationalists, and the British parties, a compromise that led to the separation of Northern Ireland.
In this illuminating biography, the first in more than forty years, the author refutes the hard-faced and shadowy image that has long represented Bonar Law. In its place, the author reveals an effective political leader who mastered his party and the House of Commons as few others had done, while at the same time becoming one of the best loved men in the House by colleagues of all parties. Bonar Law is also shown to be a complex and tragic person—a passionate husband, an indulgent father, and a generous friend—who was nonetheless a lifelong depressive whose private life was cursed by terrible losses.
- GenresBiography
476 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 15, 2020
The unknown Prime Minister who flirted with despotism
Adams unsuccessfully tries to rehabilitate the reputation of a cold cynical party hack who flirted with civil war and demonstrated a bitter contempt for Parliament. His love of party trumped any concern for country. Bonar Law should be remembered as an example of how narrow political goals and a lack of any vision leads to stagnation
Adams unsuccessfully tries to rehabilitate the reputation of a cold cynical party hack who flirted with civil war and demonstrated a bitter contempt for Parliament. His love of party trumped any concern for country. Bonar Law should be remembered as an example of how narrow political goals and a lack of any vision leads to stagnation
March 17, 2019
The forgotten member of the British triumvirate that presided over World War One, Bonar Law 's reputation is resuscitated in Adams's workmanlike biography of the man who would occupy 10 Downing Street for the shortest amount of time in the 20th Century.
By far the most fascinating aspects of the book are Bonar Law's unique hold over the Conservative (Unionist) party in the early-20th Century, as well as his decision to enter a coalition with Lloyd George and play second-fiddle to the Welsh dynamo for the sake of military and organizational effectiveness. Law comes across as a masterful balancer, putting a large portion of the Conservative forces in 1916, who were decidedly against Lloyd George's ambitious social platform and Irish Home Rule tendencies, under the auspices of the Coalition and guiding the conservative elements of Westminster through Lloyd George's many twists and turns.
Bonar Law"s brief premiership is marked by aloof leadership, allowing Curzon to take the reins of foreign policy while presiding over debt and postwar credit issues on the homefront. Law struggles very much with the decision of whether to accept stiff US conditions on repayment of war debt, even while European nations are refusing to pay back Britain for payments owing to her.
The reputation of Law in other biographies of the period is of a quite sharp negotiator and political animal. Here, though, Adams does much to show how Law should be thought of as a conciliator and victor who helped Britain through incredibly dark days.
By far the most fascinating aspects of the book are Bonar Law's unique hold over the Conservative (Unionist) party in the early-20th Century, as well as his decision to enter a coalition with Lloyd George and play second-fiddle to the Welsh dynamo for the sake of military and organizational effectiveness. Law comes across as a masterful balancer, putting a large portion of the Conservative forces in 1916, who were decidedly against Lloyd George's ambitious social platform and Irish Home Rule tendencies, under the auspices of the Coalition and guiding the conservative elements of Westminster through Lloyd George's many twists and turns.
Bonar Law"s brief premiership is marked by aloof leadership, allowing Curzon to take the reins of foreign policy while presiding over debt and postwar credit issues on the homefront. Law struggles very much with the decision of whether to accept stiff US conditions on repayment of war debt, even while European nations are refusing to pay back Britain for payments owing to her.
The reputation of Law in other biographies of the period is of a quite sharp negotiator and political animal. Here, though, Adams does much to show how Law should be thought of as a conciliator and victor who helped Britain through incredibly dark days.
December 5, 2024
A great biography that is well written. Adams provides great insight into a relatively unknown figure.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews