British history is full of interesting elections, but one of the most noteworthy is known as the Khaki Election. The Khaki Election was held in 1900 during the Second Boer War and was given its unusual name because of the khaki uniforms worn by British soldiers. The election was full of a strange mixture of politics, patriotism, and war; the Khaki Election represented a defining point for British politics.
In this article, we will cover what the Khaki Election was, why it was called that, what the outcome was, and what impact it had on the political landscape of the United Kingdom.
Introduction to the Khaki Election
The Khaki Election was the general election of 1900 in the United Kingdom. Called during the Second Boer War in South Africa (from October 1899), the election gained its nickname because soldiers were wearing khaki uniforms in the war, which influenced the voting behavior.
The government, led by Lord Salisbury, sought to capitalize on the back of the popular war to win votes. And they did! The result gave the ruling Conservative Party, together with their allies, a large majority.
Why Was It Called the Khaki Election?
The term “Khaki Election” refers to the color of British soldiers’ uniforms. Khaki had taken on a new meaning at the time, becoming associated with patriotism and military glory. Citizens at the time were generally supportive of the war, with many supporting the government that was conducting it.
By using the term “khaki,” the election could be linked with the military spirit of the country, and politicians could gain support as they were implying that they were connected to the bravery shown by the soldiers fighting in South Africa.
The backdrop to this election is the Second Boer War
To understand the Khaki Election, we will highlight the Second Boer War (1899–1902). The Second Boer War was between the British Empire and the Boer Republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State in South Africa.
The Second Boer War began following increasing tensions based on British imperial desires in the region. Initially, the Boers recorded some initial victories over the British. By 1900, Britain was taking stock and re-establishing control of the situation.
The public environment in Britain was one of pride and determination; many were satisfied that the war was just, supporting the government’s military decision. This created a climate for the Conservative party to call for a general election.
Who Were the Key Political Leaders?
Many public figures played central parts in the Khaki Election:
- Lord Salisbury: The leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister at the time. Lord Salisbury was supported by his nephew Arthur Balfour.
- Joseph Chamberlain: A Liberal Unionist who supported the Conservatives and was a strong supporter of the war effort.
- Henry Campbell-Bannerman: A leader of the Liberal Party, Henry Campbell-Bannerman struggled to unite his party around such a controversial war.
All four leaders got to establish the context of the election campaign. The Conservatives branded themselves as the defenders of the Empire, while Liberals appeared split, hesitant, and unprepared.
The Campaign and Themes
The campaign of 1900 was mostly about the war in South Africa. The Conservative Party brought a lot of emphasis on patriotic stability. Their sticker price was presenting themselves as the source of support for the soldiers engaged in the war and that a vote for the Conservatives was a vote for the consequent victory.
The Liberals were divided. Some of the Liberal Party were opposed immediately to the war on the grounds that the war was unjust, inappropriate imperialism, and to adopt a humanitarian approach. Others were by and large supportive but critical of the government’s management of the war. As such, they made it harder for them to make headway into Conservative support.
The themes of the campaign could be made as follows:
- Support the troops: A vote for the Conservatives was thought to be a vote for the soldiers.
- National pride: Winning the war was a matter of Britain’s status as a global power.
- Unity versus division: The Conservatives looked unified, while the Liberal Party looked weak and divided.
The Role of the Media
The British press contributed greatly to forming public opinion during the Khaki Election. Newspapers reported the war in a way that grabbed the attention of patriotic national pride. Heroic stories about soldiers were reported while criticism of the war was suppressed.
Patriotic journalism helped the Conservatives get the public to care about victories by the military instead of the domestic economy and state of the union, which made it simpler for the government to maintain support during the election.
The Results of the Khaki Election
The Khaki Election took place in September and October of 1900. The results showed a definitive win by the Conservatives and their allies, the Liberal Unionists, who won a strong majority in parliament.
The Liberal Party lacked unity despite continuing to win seats but could not credibly challenge the Conservative-led government. The results revealed the power of combining war comprehension and politics. The Conservatives successfully drew words to the war effort; they got more than votes; they got public reassurance.
Why Was the Khaki Election Significant?
There was particular significance to the Khaki Election in several respects:
- War and Politics Connected: It highlighted how military events could directly influence politics (even change the direction of politics) and elections.
- Patriotism as a Tool: Politicians learned how to exploit patriotism, national pride, and military pride to elicit votes.
- Liberal Weakness: The election exposed rifts within the Liberal Party, which would take years to heal.
- Conservative Strength: It confirmed conservatism as the prevailing party vision at the outset of the 20th century.
It became the template for how governments could exploit active international conflicts to impact domestic politics.
Critiques of The Khaki Election
There was no shortage of detractors to the Khaki Election. Detractors claimed that it was unfairly impacted by the wartime context. Critics charged that the Conservative government leveraged patriotism to win votes to further its political agenda rather than pursue real questions of international/foreign policy.
Some argued that the war was itself relatively contentious. The violent tactics used by the British military, including the clear sanctioning of concentration camps for Boer civilians, drew ire across several countries.
