ONE hundred years ago in April next year 1909, the then Liberal chancellor Lloyd George introduced his People's Budget, which he claimed to be a War Budget - a war on poverty.

The land-owning ruling classes in the Lords refused to accept the Finance Bill and caused a constitutional crisis.

Liberal PM Asquith dissolved Parliament and called a general election. Lloyd George traversed the country explaining to the working class that this was a battle between social progress and the greed of the rich land-owners in the Lords.

Lloyd George won the day against the unelected House of Lords and the Conservative opposition and, after further battles with the Lords, his Budget was forced through in April 1910 and a year later the 1911 Parliament Act was passed preventing such domination by the Lords ever again.

Lloyd George's budget was a great success and raised a surplus. The aims of strengthening the Royal Navy, beginning social reform and introducing the State Pension were met.

The 1909 People's Budget was a turning point for the United Kingdom as it aimed to redistribute wealth, through graduated taxation, away from the idle rich made wealthy from the toil of their workers.

A century later and the same battles are being waged concerning the distribution of wealth and the emergence of the new super rich and a growing underclass.

This should be of great concern to local MPs, such as Hugh Bayley and John Grogan, who should realise their loyalty should be to their constituents by encouraging the fair distribution of wealth.

The achievement of Lloyd George's People's Budget and the many others involved should be celebrated as a Bank Holiday.

The Government should mark the centenary by re-introducing the link between earnings and the State pension.

T Scaife, Manor Drive, York.