PRIME MINISTER, DAVID LLOYD GEORGE –  3 Routh Road, Wandsworth Common, SW18

 

David Lloyd George, the son of William George and Elizabeth Lloyd, was born in

Manchester on 17th January, 1863.

Lloyd George was an early supporter of women’s suffrage, but as part of the government was often heckled by the militant campaigners known as the suffragettes, who belonged to the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU).

In 1910, believing that the proposal was principally designed to favour the Tories at the ballot box, he opposed the extension of the vote to women already entitled to vote in local elections. However, the WSPU saw the measure as a necessary step towards its goal of votes for all women. When in opposition, Lloyd George had always been a supporter of women's rights, however, when in power, he did little, as in this instance,  to help the cause. This upsets members of both the NUWSS and the WSPU and resulted in many activists leaving the Liberal Party. In July 1912, Christabel Pankhurst began organizing a secret arson campaign. One of their first targets was Lloyd George and they successful burnt down a house that was being built for him.