On This Day

06 February 1899

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman becomes Liberal leader

At a party meeting in the smoking room of the Reform Club Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman is unanimously elected as leader of the Liberal Party. Described by H.H. Asquith as being held in ‘a temper in which relief and enthusiasm were curiously blended’ the meeting was almost torpedoed by the supporters of the previous leader Sir William Harcourt who wished to express ‘continued confidence’ in Sir William and threatened to divide the meeting. Wiser heads prevailed. Sir William was thanked for his service and Campbell-Bannerman was elected.