ABSTRACT
By the autumn of 1935, the National Government had been in office four years. Throughout 1935, especially after the reorganisation of the government in June, there had been rumours of an
appeal to the country in the autumn, but the general impression when M.P.s
dispersed in the early days of August was that the General Election would
not be held until January or February 1936. During August and September,
however, events developed rapidly, as on the diplomatic front the tension
between Italy and Abyssinia mounted. At home, the annual conference
of the Conservative Party was held at Bournemouth early in October, and
although Baldwin gave no indication of the date of the General Election it
was felt that the appeal would not be long delayed.
