Corruption in British Politics, 1895-1930.

Abstract

Based on a wide range of private papers as well as public records, this book throws new light on the parliamentary politics of this century, and on the assumptions, prejudices, and aspirations of an entire political generation. Parliamentary political life in the Edwardian period was generally thought to be remarkably free from corruption; yet suspicions of wrongdoing in high places gradually gathered ground. Dr Searle examines the rumours, innuendoes, and accusations which affected the reputation of politicians and political parties, and undermined confidence in the integrity of public life. He also discusses wartime profiteering, the abuse of patronage, the Marconi Affair, and the Honours scandal of 1922 which helped to ruin the career of Lloyd George, in each case placing the issue of corruption in the context of the beliefs and values of the time, as an aristocratic system of politics gave way to one centred on modern class-based parties, and politicians struggled to adjust to a changing world. This should interest general readers interested in modern British politics and the social world of Victorian, Edwardian and inter-war society,as well as scholars and students of history and political scientists.