Empire Free Trade Crusade
Encyclopedia
The Empire Free Trade Crusade was a political party
in the United Kingdom
. It was founded by Lord Beaverbrook
in July 1929 to press for the British Empire
to become a free trade bloc.
The group was founded to oppose both the Labour
minority government, elected in 1929, and Conservative
leader Stanley Baldwin
's protectionist policies, which they viewed as insufficient.
Beaverbrook began enrolling members at the end of 1929, after concluding that Baldwin would not be won to his aim. In 1930, he briefly joined Lord Rothermere's United Empire Party, and the two parties worked together thereafter.
In October, Ernest Taylor
stood for the party in the Paddington South by-election, winning a previously safe Conservative seat. A second candidate in the Westminster St George's by-election, 1931
was beaten by the Conservatives. This began a decline for the group, accelerated when Taylor joined the Conservative Party after they won the 1931 UK general election
. Beaverbrook maintained the group until the late 1930s, but it did not contest any further elections.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was founded by Lord Beaverbrook
Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
William Maxwell "Max" Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook, Bt, PC, was a Canadian-British business tycoon, politician, and writer.-Early career in Canada:...
in July 1929 to press for the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
to become a free trade bloc.
The group was founded to oppose both the Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
minority government, elected in 1929, and Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
leader Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin
Stanley Baldwin, 1st Earl Baldwin of Bewdley, KG, PC was a British Conservative politician, who dominated the government in his country between the two world wars...
's protectionist policies, which they viewed as insufficient.
Beaverbrook began enrolling members at the end of 1929, after concluding that Baldwin would not be won to his aim. In 1930, he briefly joined Lord Rothermere's United Empire Party, and the two parties worked together thereafter.
In October, Ernest Taylor
Ernest Augustus Taylor
Vice-Admiral Sir Ernest Augustus Taylor was a British Royal Navy officer and politician. He was Member of Parliament for Paddington South from 1930 to 1950.-References:...
stood for the party in the Paddington South by-election, winning a previously safe Conservative seat. A second candidate in the Westminster St George's by-election, 1931
Westminster St George's by-election, 1931
The Westminster St. George's by-election, 1931 was a parliamentary by-election held on 19 March 1931 for the British House of Commons constituency of Westminster St. George's.- Previous MP :...
was beaten by the Conservatives. This began a decline for the group, accelerated when Taylor joined the Conservative Party after they won the 1931 UK general election
United Kingdom general election, 1931
The United Kingdom general election on Tuesday 27 October 1931 was the last in the United Kingdom not held on a Thursday. It was also the last election, and the only one under universal suffrage, where one party received an absolute majority of the votes cast.The 1931 general election was the...
. Beaverbrook maintained the group until the late 1930s, but it did not contest any further elections.