Vintage Liberals
David Hopkinson describes how the foundations of modern Britain were largely laid by Liberal intellectuals from 1906 onwards.
There is a case for believing that the foundations of modern Britain were laid by the Liberals when they came to power in 1906, and that all governments since 1945 have taken up where Asquith’s men left off in 1914. Liberalism went underground to fertilise the roots of government activity whatever its party colour. Every move towards a more egalitarian society and a supportive welfare state had been inspired by those hard-working, high-minded activists of the Liberal Party and the Fabian Society who were planning the future at the turn of the century. Whether or not this submission is acceptable, it is at least worth noting the qualities of certain individuals who helped to give new direction to British politics.
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