The British liberal tradition

"In this wide ranging lecture, Lord Roy Jenkins tells the story of the rise and fall of the British Liberal Party under prime ministers Gladstone, Churchill, Asquith, and Lloyd George, and explores the place of current British prime minister Tony Blair in this tradition. Beginning his address with the Liberal Party's birth in London in 1859, Lord Jenkins discusses the relative success of these prime ministers in dealing with social issues, such as religion and suffrage, and aspects of government legislation including education, foreign policy, and the military. He punctuates this analysis with his views on the personalities of these men, recognizing that the character of leaders naturally shapes their leadership. Of William Ewart Gladstone, for example, Lord Jenkins notes that, while he was 'not necessarily the greatest prime minister,' Gladstone was 'certainly the most remarkable specimen of humanity ever to inhabit 10 Downing Street.'"--BOOK JACKET.