Law, Andrew Bonar

Law, Andrew Bonar (1858–1923). Prime minister. Described on his death as the ‘Unknown Prime Minister’, Bonar Law was a modest and melancholy figure, who appeared content to remain as second in command to Lloyd George from 1916 to 1921.

Law's Ulster‐Scottish parentage and stern presbyterian upbringing reinforced his rather dour personality. He joined the family ironmasters' business in Glasgow and worked for the Clydesdale Bank. This meant that as an MP from 1900 onwards he possessed—unusually—a personal understanding of business. His excellent memory and aggressive style soon made him a useful orator at a time when tariff reform was becoming central to the party's policy.

But Law did not appear to be heading for the top until, after Balfour's enforced resignation in 1911, the Tory Party split evenly between Walter Long and Austen Chamberlain. Energetically promoted by Max Aitken (Beaverbrook), Law emerged as a compromise candidate. However, he had almost no experience of government, enjoyed few powers of patronage, and led a party subject to bitter divisions over tariffs. As a result he encouraged his own extremists to pursue their attack on Irish Home Rule in the belief that this was best calculated to restore party unity.

While the outbreak of war in August 1914 resolved one dilemma, it created another. In May 1915 he reached a private agreement with Asquith to join a coalition. Remarkably Law failed to insist on a major position for himself and accepted the Colonial Office. When Asquith resigned in December 1916, Law had an opportunity to seize the premiership. Instead he served under Lloyd George as chancellor and member of the war cabinet. A remarkable period of co‐operation ensued, and as leader of the House he played a vital role in keeping the coalition majority intact.

In 1918 Law judged that the Conservatives' best interests lay in keeping the coalition in being and fighting the election under Lloyd George's leadership. Eventually ill‐health forced him to retire in March 1921. However, by this time many Conservatives were restless, and at a meeting in October 1922 they voted to sever relations with Lloyd George. Law indicated his willingness to return as party leader. As a result he succeeded at last to the premiership and won an immediate general election. Though obliged by poor health to withdraw after a few months, he had the satisfaction of having guided his party through a dangerous period, detaching it from Lloyd George before it suffered serious damage.