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Question: The 1st Irish Home Rule Bill 1886!?
I'm doing a massive essay on Irish history, and I just need to know a 'basic' really:
"The vote took place after two months of debating and, on 8 June 1886, 341 voted against it (including 93 Liberals) while 311 voted for it!."
^ I really don't understand this, why would the bill be rejected in the House of Commons!? There were a good number of Conservatives in there, which I thought meant that it would be passed because don't Nationalists and Conservatives go hand in hand!?!
As you can see, I'm very confused!
Any help would be much appreciated!!! ^-^Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I think your confusion stems from the word "nationalists!." There was no Nationalist Party in Ireland in 1886; Irish members of Parliament were Liberals or Conservatives, Unionists or members of what was loosely known as the Home Rule Party or the Land League!. Unionists were mainly Protestants who wanted Ireland to be ruled directly from London!. William Gladstone, the Liberal Prime Minister, introduced the Home Rule Bill of 1886!. It was supported by the Land League and the Home Rule Party, but there were enough defections within Liberal Party ranks to defeat the Bill!. The Unionists of old are now known as Nationalists in Ireland, and they still want Ulster to remain a part of the UK and be ruled from London!. And they are loosely aligned with the modern British Conservative Party, though by no means do all Conservatives oppose eventual Irish independence!.Www@QuestionHome@Com