24 June 1907

Campbell-Bannerman calls for a restriction on the powers of the House of Lords

Following the mutilation of several key bills by the House of Lords, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman moved in the House of Commons, ‘That, in order to give effect to the will of the people as expressed by their elected representatives, it is necessary that the power of the other House to alter or reject Bills passed by this House should be so restricted by laws to secure that within the limits of a single Parliament the final decision of the Commons shall prevail.’ Despite failing health Campbell Bannerman delivered one of his best ever speeches and he was backed up in debate by two powerful interventions from Churchill and Lloyd George. In what was a triumph for the Prime Minister, the motion was carried by a majority of 285.