Home Rule for Ireland was widely accepted as a certainty within a few years in 1911, in spite of concerns about its finances, as the British government spent more in Ireland than it received in revenues and further spending was likely as national insurance was being introduced. In a speech to a business audience in the City of London, Nationalist leader John Redmond avoided all the hard questions of the day but ended with this rhetorical flourish. – JOE JOYCE
Give Home Rule and there would be efficient government, cheap government and no more drains upon the British Treasury. Let them come to a bargain once and for all with Ireland. In coming to that bargain let the British people make, as they could, not only a generous but a final settlement, and put an end for all time to this drain upon the Exchequer of Great Britain.
Mr. Redmond went on to say that owing to the congestion and paralysis of Parliament there were reforms needed in Ireland which could not be dealt with for fifty years, including the question of transit, reform of the poor law, and questions of drainage and education. “I say,” exclaimed Mr. Redmond, “that to save further loss to the British Treasury, a bargain with Ireland is imperative. I say that to free the British Parliament, Home Rule must be started. I say that to do justice to the local interests of England, Scotland and Wales, Home Rule must be started: and, above all, I say to conciliate the Irish race, in Ireland and throughout the world, and thus for the first time really to unite this Empire, Home Rule is necessary. (This drew cheers.)
“All that is necessary to settle this problem is that you should put into practice what you have always boasted as the fundamental principle of your policy – namely, trust in the people. The Irish people are not trying to break away from the Empire – (cheers) – and we are sick of being in the position of the Cinderella of the Empire. (More cheers.) We think our past history entitles us to a free and honoured place in the Empire.
“We had as much to do in building up that Empire as you had. Our blood was spilt in the building of the Empire, and the brains of some of our greatest statesmen were devoted to that work. We ask not to break away from the Empire, but we ask our proper place in the Empire.
“We offer you what you have never had – don’t deceive yourselves – the real hearty goodwill and loyalty of the Irish people.
“We offer you that, and my prayer is that England will be wise enough and great enough not to spurn the offered hand of friendship, but to consummate in Ireland, as she has done everywhere else throughout the world where white men have asked the right of self-government – a glorious victory, for what is, as I have said, her greatest principle – trust in the people. (Cheers.) Do that, and all this nightmare of the Irish question will disappear. You will be troubled no more with it.
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