The Second Home Rule Bill and the Reunification of the Irish Parliamentary Party
In this chapter you will learn about: • The failure of the Second Home Rule Bill • The cooperative movement • The setting up of local government in Ireland • The Wyndham Land Act, 1903 • The reunification of the Irish Parliamentary Party
By the end of this chapter you will be able to: • Fully assess the successes and failures of Conservative Party policy in Ireland • See the final working out of the Land Question • Understand how the Irish Parliamentary Party reunified
The Second Home Rule Bill
Following the split in the Irish Parliamentary Party in 1891, the Conservatives continued their efforts to diminish the demand for Home Rule by bringing in further reforms. However, in the 1892 general election the Liberal Party under Gladstone was returned to power with the support of both Irish parties, the Irish National League and the Irish National Federation.
Results of the 1892 General Election: Irish Parties 81 272 Conservatives 313 Liberals
In return for their support, Gladstone introduced the Second Home Rule Bill in 1893. Controversially, Gladstone chose to write the Bill himself, without consulting the Irish parties. The Bill proposed the following:
MOVEMENTS FOR POLITICAL AND SOCIAL REFORM, 1870–1914 43
