24 MAY 1923
It was confirmed that the Prime Minister had asked Lord Curzon to remain as Prime Minister, Lord Derby would continue as War Minister and Sir Samuel Hoare would continue as the Air Minister.
Sir Robert Horne, speaking in Glasgow, said that he had turned his back on any Ministerial job.
The death was announced of John Cairns, the Labour MP for Morpeth.
23 MAY 1923
Stanley Baldwin was appointed as the new Prime Minister, in succession to Andrew Bonar Law who retired earlier on during the week for health reasons.
Sir Robert Horne was rumoured to be returning to the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer in succession to Stanley Baldwin.
David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister, said that he was gloomy about the situation in Europe and said that a Liberal reunion was more necessary than ever.
The death of Herbert Sparkes, the Conservative MP for Tiverton, was announced. He had represented the constituency since the 1922 General Election.
22 MAY 1923
Political speculation continued about who would replace Andrew Bonar Law who had resigned as Prime Minister. A spokesperson for Bonar Law said that he was undergoing surgery to his throat but that otherwise his condition was unchanged.
The three candidates for the Berwick by-election being held on 31 May were announced. They were Mrs Hilton Philipson for the Unionists, Harold Robson who was standing for the Independent Liberals and Gilbert Oliver for the Labour Party.
21 MAY 1923
Andrew Bonar Law, the Prime Minister, offered his immediate resignation to the King on the advice of his medical advisers. Bonar Law had held the role of Prime Minister since 23 October 1922 and the King stated that he had accepted the resignation with “the deepest regret”.
The King reviewed over 8,300 troops, including 580 officers, on Laffan’s Plain in Aldershot.
20 MAY 1923
Andrew Bonar Law, the Prime Minister, returned to London from Paris alongside his son, amidst rumours that he might resign for health reasons. Downing Street said that the Prime Minister was planning to rest for a few days and that he had no immediate intention of standing down.
It was reported that a Russian gunboat had fired on a British trawler which was trading out of the port in Grimsby.
19 MAY 1923
It was announced by authorities in Paris that Andrew Bonar Law, the Prime Minister, was suffering from throat problems but it added that his general health was fine.
The National Council of the Independent Labour Party said that it regretted the Government’s approach to the Soviets and said that a more tolerant relationship towards Russia should be encouraged.
18 MAY 1923
Raymond Poincaré, the Prime Minister of France, said that the country’s troops would remain in the Ruhr Valley for as long as the Government wanted and until the Germans met their obligations.
Irish deportees released after the Art O’Brien legal case left Mountjoy Prison to arrive at Holyhead in Wales, with numerous of them claiming they had been badly treated by the Irish Free State authorities.
The Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest Continuance Act and the Dangerous Drugs and Poisons Amendment Act received Royal Assent.
17 MAY 1923
The Soviets said that a breaking of their trade agreement with the UK would have consequences that were difficult to foresee and it could lead to another war in Europe.
The Lord Chancellor said in the House of Lords that the Government accepted the court’s decision in the Art O’Brien legal case. He said this also meant that everyone deported to Ireland would be returned to the UK.
At a conference of the Railways Clerks Association in Yarmouth, it was suggested that old age pensions should be paid from the age of 65 and amount to 15 shillings a week.
16 MAY 1923
An important date took place in the House of Commons on the Anglo-Russian relationship. David Lloyd George and Herbert Asquith said during the debate that they broadly agreed with the Government’s proposals.
The French Government seized control of numerous dye works in the Ruhr Valley, extending the area that they had seized in lieu of war reparations.
15 MAY 1923
The German Government said that they had a sense of dejection following the rejection by Britain and Italy of their proposed war reparations scheme.
In the House of Lords, the decision on the deportation of Art O’Brien case went against the Government, with the Home Office stating that an announcement would be made shortly.
The Finance Bill was read for a second time in the House of Commons.