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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Henry Campbell-Bannerman
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(1836–1908, GCB 1895) Liberal politician, prime minister 1905–8. In 1868 he was elected MP for Stirling Burgh (a seat which he held till his death), and he first made his mark as secretary of state for war (1886, 1892–5) in two of Gladstone's administrations. He became leader of the party in 1899 and was invited by Edward VII to form a government when *Balfour resigned in December 1905. In the subsequent general election the Liberals won a large majority, but many of their measures passed in the Commons were defeated by the Conservative majority in the House of *Lords – a continuing provocation which led to the *Parliament Bill of 1910-11, in which Campbell-Bannerman's successor, Herbert *Asquith, clipped the wings of the upper chamber. Asquith had become leader of the party in April 1908 when Campbell-Bannerman resigned because of ill health.
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