On This Day

02 October 1891

William Gladstone endorses the Newcastle Programme

In his speech to the National Liberal Federation annual conference in Newcastle, Gladstone gave his support the programme adopted by the Federation. The Newcastle Programme retained support for Irish home rule as its central plank but also contained proposals on land reform, reform of the House of Lords, three year parliaments, abolition of plural voting and Scottish and Welsh church disestablishment. The Liberal Governments of 1892-5 put some parts of the Newcastle Programme onto the statute book, including employers’ liability, parish councils and graduated death duties.