representing aernarvon Boroughs. He rapidly established
a reputation as a fiery populist - and the spokesman for
the Liberal Party's radical conscience. He lived up to this
reputation as Chancellor of the Exchequer in Asquith's
government, in which post he is best known for the
'People's Budget' of 1909 - which proposed higher death
duties, taxation on land, and a supertax. He also introduced
old-age pensions and national insurance.
Although originally labelled a pacifist, Lloyd George was an energetic war leader after he succeeded Asquith in 1916. His coalition government continued after the war, increasingly dominated by Conservatives - the Liberals having broken away. Few Prime Ministers have aroused such strong reactions as Lloyd George: his magnetic and forceful personality
contributed to important social reforms and helped carry Britain through
the first World War - but it also helped destroy the Liberal Party.