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1922 in the United Kingdom
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The social and political problems which attained the most prominence in the United Kingdom in 1922 showed a further departure from those which had chiefly occupied public attention during World War I, and the country had by now almost returned to its normal condition. Prices continued to fall during the early part of the year, but very slowly as compared with the previous decline, and in the latter half of the year the fall ceased almost entirely, prices becoming comparatively stabilized at about 80% above the level of July 1914. Labour problems, which had occupied so much attention during and after the war, were less constantly in the public eye. The principle of inevitable reductions in wages had been accepted by the working classes as a whole, and there were few strikes on a large scale, the worst being that in the engineering trade. Unemployment continued to be very great, but it was recognized that little more could be done by government measures for its alleviation, and the subject was much less prominent in the political world than it had been in the previous year. A further indication of the return to normal conditions was in the gradual decay of the coalition government; the combination of parties which had been brought about in the presence of a common danger was no longer found to work satisfactorily when the normal problems of peace were at issue. Very early in the year signs of disintegration became manifest in the coalition. On several occasions the two wings threatened to fall apart, but the government was successfully held together by the personality of Prime Minister David Lloyd George until the last quarter of the year, when the internal dissensions which had made themselves felt for so many months past reached a bursting-point, and the coalition was finally rent asunder in a day.
Irish affairs occupied an important place in politics throughout the year. 1922 saw the establishment of the Irish Free State in the south and west of the island.
Incumbents
Events
Undated
Publications
Births
- 21 January - Paul Scofield, actor (died 2008)
- 26 January - Michael Bentine, actor (died 1996)
- 6 February
- 7 February - Hattie Jacques, actress (died 1980)
- 9 February - Jim Laker, cricketer (died 1986)
- 26 February - Margaret Leighton, actress
- 9 March - Tommy Cooper, comedian and magician (died 1984)
- 5 April
- 13 April - John Braine, novelist (died 1986)
- 16 April - Kingsley Amis, novelist (died 1995)
- 28 April - Alistair MacLean, writer (died 1987)
- 27 May - Christopher Lee, actor
- 31 May - Denholm Elliott, actor (died 1992)
- 6 August - Freddie Laker, airline entrepreneur (died 2006)
- 9 August - Philip Larkin, poet (died 1985)
- 5 October - Jock Stein, footballer and manager of Scotland (died 1985)
- 16 October - Max Bygraves, singer and entertainer
- 26 December - Richard Mayes, actor (died 2006)
Deaths
References
See also
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