The Single Tax v World War One (14) August-October 1912
“They shudder at the thought of another great battle on the land question”
Two unexpected Liberal by-election victories, both full-on Single Tax campaigns, excited much press reaction. It also alarmed the Tories and split the Liberal party. Lloyd George siezed the opportunity to re-ignite the government’s land campaign. Many agreed it would be the central issue of the next scheduled general election in 1915. Figures such as Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Secretary) - previously quoted thoughtfully supporting the campaign - favoured a period of political tranquility. Of that faction, Lloyd George was moved to say:
They make me wonder if I am really a Liberal at all.
Read further and judge for yourself the tone and intent of the public rhetoric surrounding Britain’s attempted Single Tax revolution as it stood two years before the war that ended all debate.
The government “to begin a great campaign for the overthrow of land monopoly.”
“It would go on until the next General Election and it would be the greatest contest between the people and privilege and monopoly since the repeal of the Corn Laws.”
“Knowing politicians are startled at discovering the strength that is behind this new movement”
“Everywhere the land question is the one topic of interest and discussion.”
“the Taxation of Land Values has come to stay as an abiding principal in British politics”
“Everyone must use land and someone must confiscate the value. Either the Government must confiscate it, or the landlord.”
The Single Tax - splitting the Liberal party.
“We know we have as bitter enemies inside the Liberal Party as outside”
Robert Outhwaite MP, Land Values staffer, wins the Hanley by-election.
“the Taxation of Land Values has become the dominant issue in politics”
“The public are urgently concerned in the valuation, and it should no longer be concealed from them.”
(He tried to make up for it in 1931)
“the whole British Press - has been turned into a debating ground on the Taxation of Land Values”
“The silence that could be felt at times has been broken and the forces of progress are now marshalled on our side.”
“There is an unmistakable thrill in the air.”
“Poverty is scrutinising with a keen eye the justice of its lot.”
“The workmen have a kind of class memory … and they want their land back”
“The Budget of 1909 took us back to 1660, and reversed the victory of the great landed families”
“Mr. Lloyd George’s Land Programme has stricken terror into the hearts of the Tories.”
“They shudder at the thought of another great battle on the land question.”
The Times suggests resignation …
Around this time Lloyd George did consider forming his own party.
“This is a question which affects the whole country”
“Mr Lloyd George is preparing for a gambler’s throw”
The Guardian: the Single Tax “a prefectly intelligible and practicable ideal”
Estates Gazette: the Single Tax “a form of lunacy”
“On the policy of cynical, unashamed brigandage, we are told, the next general election will be fought.”
(The next election was scheduled for 1915.)
“Mr Lloyd George’s new plan of campaign is already being carried on throughout the length and breadth of the land”
“It is indeed a golden vision”
“the Shylocks of Radicalism”
Lloyd George in Cardiff: “the speech of a madman, but it had an element of genius, and its result was well-nigh magical”
The next election. 1915: “We shall experience one of the most bitter and determined campaigns against the owner of land that this country has ever known”
“the Golden Canadian West”
“This new land policy appeared to be the new Liberalism or the new electioneering ticket.”
"Sincere”: Lloyd George’s “devotion to what he thought the cause of the less fortunate people in this troublesome world was”
The Tories clearly perceived a very serious threat from the sudden return to the Single Tax revolution.
“they are up against a great economic and social movement which will overwhelm them if they cannot scotch it and stifle it now.”
The Single Tax by 1918
“A deed without a name.”
“a fight for a great principle” that would “unite all the forces of the democracy”
“political discussion is becoming more scientific”
“the crowds eagerly drank in the promises of economic freedom offered by the freeing of the land from the grip of monopoly.”
“poverty and undeserved misery result from laws”
“mandolin and magic” “gramophones and spells”
The Socialist reaction
The single tax: “In its presence every other policy or proposal seems to lose all meaning and value.”
Land taxes: “a sort of artificial manure”
The single tax and nothing else: “a nightmare, an incubus, a reign of terror”
“We have to lead the world in this matter”
“The fight was the biggest fight there had been in English politics for centuries.”
“one of the most extraordinary things in political history”
“undiminished vigour and enthusiasm”
“this eruption of Henry-Georgism”
“The merry land-taxers will soon run official Liberalism off its feet.”
The Daily Mail
“which way the cat will jump”
The single tax - cancelled by The Spectator
