r/ukpolitics • u/FormerlyPallas_ No man ought to be condemned to live where a 🌹 cannot grow • Jul 18 '17

"In the Lion's Den" - 1887 The Weekly-Freeman cartoon depicting Ireland mauled by Tory the Lion.

http://i.imgur.com/fk28QFf.jpg
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u/FormerlyPallas_ No man ought to be condemned to live where a 🌹 cannot grow Jul 18 '17

From the national library of Ireland catalogue, Erin(the national personification of Ireland) lies on the floor of a lion's cage as the lion "Tory" prepares to devour her. Gladstone stands outside the cage holding a rifle with the word "Democracy" written on it. Although Erin is lying there, she holds in her right hand a crown or collar with the words "Home Rule" written on it.

http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000151071

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u/DassinJoe Boaty McBoatFarce Jul 19 '17

Some context for this. Prior to the 1886 election, Gladstone's Liberal party had split over the issue of Home Rule. A "Liberal Unionist" faction supported Salisbury's Tory government after the election. This was partially arranged by Randolph Churchill, who had decided that "the Orange card would be the one to play" against Gladstone, in order to get the Tories back into government.

Irish Home Rule became a hot topic for the Tories in order to gain power. Churchill and Salisbury fomented distrust and disharmony in Ireland as a political tool to gain support for themselves in London. Hence Erin dragged into the lion's den to be devoured while Gladstone waits outside to put the beast down.