Lloyd George’s upbringing, his uncle’s political views and his nonconformist background all made him a natural Liberal, but in Porthmadoc he came into contact for the first time with radical ideas such as the need for social reform and the disestablishment of the Church in Wales. He found a mentor in John Roberts, a prominent member of the Porthmadoc Baptist community who often held political debates in his candle-making workshop. In his diary Lloyd George described his new friend as ‘a socialist and an out and out one’,8 and Roberts held views that went far beyond the accepted orthodoxy of the Liberal Party. He was a fierce opponent of the extravagance of the upper classes, especially the royal family, and spoke passionately about justice for the poorer people in society.9
This was socially and politically risky. There had been a time when the Calvinistic Methodists, the largest group of nonconformists, had mostly supported the Conservative Party, which chimed with their belief in self-reliance, independence from the state and individual determination. Although their unease at the widening division in Wales between the landlords and the working classes had eventually aligned them with the Liberal Party, they strongly disapproved of its more radical fringes. When the young Lloyd George found himself at the heart of a group of radicals in Porthmadoc, he risked alienating the Welsh-speaking chapel-goers who would be his natural political support base.
Nevertheless, he put his toe in the water by joining the Liberal campaign in Criccieth during the general election of March 1880. He was put to work checking the register of voters, which in view of his legal apprenticeship he was well qualified to do. Nationally, the election resulted in a victory for the Liberals under William Gladstone.* The Liberal Party won all but four seats in Wales, including Caernarvon Boroughs, the constituency that included Criccieth, where Watkin Williams defeated George Douglas-Pennant, Lord Penrhyn’s son, who had captured it for the Conservatives in 1874.
Later that year, as he gained confidence in his political views, Lloyd George tried his hand at journalism. The general election was followed in December by a by-election in Caernarvonshire, caused by the appointment of Watkin Williams as a High Court judge, which meant he had to resign his seat as an MP. Using the pseudonym ‘Brutus’, Lloyd George sent an article to the North Wales Express. His subject was the Tory Party, soon to undergo a change of leadership from Disraeli to Lord Salisbury, and much to his delight it was published on 5 November. He was sufficiently encouraged to write a second piece, this time a response to an address by the Tory by-election candidate, his old Llanystumdwy adversary Hugh Ellis-Nanney. This too was published, albeit with one particularly aggressive passage omitted. Over the next few weeks ‘Brutus’ appeared several times in the press, and Lloyd George was even able to see his ‘Address to the Electors’ printed in large characters on North Wales Express posters around the town.
Lloyd George wrote on both local and national issues with precocious boldness. His literary style was slightly awkward and over-elaborate, mimicking the convoluted syntax and long words of the worthy but antiquated books in the Highgate library. Nevertheless, English was his second language, a language for reading and writing, but not for everyday speaking, and it was an extraordinary achievement for him to write so fluently in what was to all intents and purposes a foreign language.
On 1 December 1880 Lloyd George savoured his second electoral victory of the year as the Liberal candidate, William Rathbone, defeated Ellis-Nanney, although with a reduced majority. Still, victory was sweet, and Brutus was content.
Between law, chapel and politics, the waking hours of the young Lloyd George were filled to bursting. There was always time for a little recreation, though, and his favourite hobby was flirtation. He had grown to an average height for his place and time, around five feet five inches, but he had a good, upright figure, and he had inherited the striking looks of his father. He emphasised these by growing a dashing moustache and by taking great care of his clothes and general appearance. His reputation as a local genius and ‘young man on the make’ also made it easy for him to attract the attentions of young ladies. The three Sunday services at Capel Ucha and frequent evening meetings during the week were perfect opportunities for him to practise his flirting skills on local girls, and he made the most of his chances.
At first, with the burden of fulfilling his uncle’s expectations weighing heavily on his shoulders, Lloyd George professed himself to be intent on behaving decorously, but before long he had begun his first relationship with a young Baptist girl. Jennie Evans, one of the prettiest girls in the area, was a friend of Polly’s. A flirtatious, teasing relationship developed between her and the teenage Lloyd George, and their encounters were faithfully recorded in his diary: ‘A very lively singing meeting…Sitting in the middle of girls—in the arm of Jennie ha-ha!’10
Lloyd George was very conscious of the danger of becoming distracted from his work. He was also being watched over by every member of his family, even his younger brother, who reproved him for signs of ‘fast behaviour’, although William’s words mostly fell on deaf ears:
Good singing meeting. Went up with Jennie about 5. I was rather dry with her tonight for many reasons. I was determined to be so, because if I went on to court her as I have done I would soon fall in love with her and really I have gone further than I thought…Jennie has been flirting with other boys. I must stick to my lessons. It was not right for me to carry on flirting with her, as WG my brother says. All the same I mean to carry on with her. I am a fool!11
The relationship continued, but by March 1880, when he had just turned seventeen, his family’s concerns had begun to take effect:
Fri. 26. Dull…To Caerdyni. Annie & Jennie came there. I went to Criccieth with John. Saw the girls afterwards. Was reserved with Jennie. I want to get rid of her—we are being talked about. Uncle knows it this long time!
Mon 29. Fine…Jennie here; avoided her…It costs me some trouble to get rid of that girl, but in flirting with her, I have everything to lose and nothing to win. This shall be regarded as proof of my pluck. If I cannot resist this, how do I expect to gain other things, which require a good deal more determination. She attempted to tease me by flirting with others—bastards.12
He was not able to keep from flirting for long. His brother’s counsel had had no effect whatsoever, and soon Uncle Lloyd and Polly pitched in as well. On 15 June he was on the receiving end of a stern talk from Uncle Lloyd, who ‘told me I was becoming the town talk, that I must mend my ways in this matter at least, or else it would ruin my chances of success’.13 Two days later he wrote with great seriousness in his diary:
My sister gave it me rather solemnly for flirting with Jennie etc. Indeed I am rather seriously disposed to give up these dealings—this I know—that the realization of my prospects, my dreams, my longings for success are very scant indeed unless I am determined to give up what without mistake are the germs of a ‘fast life’. Be staunch and bold and play the man. What is life good for unless some success, some reputable notoriety be obtained—the idea of living for the sake of living is almost unbearable—it is unworthy of such a superior being as man.14
Throughout the summer and autumn of 1880 Lloyd George was caught between the attractions of flirting with Jennie and his family’s disapproval. Occasionally the latter won, and he was particularly indignant when his good behaviour was not acknowledged: ‘Out with John Caerdyni—on top of Dinas. Splendid view. Feel quite as happy without being troubled as to whereabouts of any girls, though I have not courted with any of them. On good terms with all. It is when I have occasional fits of total abstention from girls that I am sometimes attacked!!’15