ABSTRACT
The arrival of working class candidates, or candidates poaching specifically for the labouring vote, upset the earlier neat arrangement. The Liberals under Rosebery were becoming increasingly imperialistic, while the formation of the LRC in 1900 meant that Labour was able to fight more effectively. The period 1910–14 saw much discussion of the government’s Home Rule proposals in Parliament and Labour members contributed extensively. Many Labour members argued that the granting of Home Rule to Ireland would end existing religious, economic and political differences and lead to new national unity. Labour members attempted to show that Ulster fears were groundless. British Labour not only faced Unionist opposition in Ireland to Home Rule, but also had a less than harmonious relationship with the Irish Labour Party and ICTU. The parliamentary Labour Party spoke eloquently on the political and industrial questions affecting Ireland at this time, advocating Home Rule and industrial fair-play.
