National Crisis and National Government : British Politics, the Economy and Empire, 1926–1932

This 1992 book examines the role of government, big business and economic bodies during Britain's prolonged national crisis of 1926–32. Dr Williamson covers both policy and politics and carries out close examination of the major figures of the time including Baldwin, Churchill, Mosley and Chamberlain.

From 1926 Britain fell into a condition of deep national crisis, which seemed to threaten its domestic stability and international power. By 1932 the effort to contain these problems had transformed British politics and policy. Strains produced by three-party politics, economic recession and imperial difficulties resulted during 1931 in such a severe financial and political crisis that the Labour government collapsed and Conservative, Liberal and some Labour leaders joined together in a National government. Despite large public expenditure cuts and tax increases, and despite devaluation of sterling and a new crisis in the Indian Empire, this government obtained the greatest British election victory of modern times. This 1992 book examines all aspects of the crisis together and in depth, using an extensive range of official, institutional and personal papers.