But as the election progressed, uncertainties developed and an alternative policy of attempting to reform the Upper House was advocated in certain quarters.

The question arose also as to whether the first business of the new House should be to pass the Budget which the Lords had thrown out or to proceed with the attack on the power of veto.
Redmond's view on this was not in doubt.

At a meeting in Dublin on February 10, 1910, he declared in the most emphatic manner that to deal with the Budget first would be a breach of Mr.Asquith's pledge to the country, since it would throw away the power of the House of Commons to stop supply.

This speech attracted much attention, and the memory of it was present to many a fortnight later when Mr.Asquith was replying to Mr.Balfour at the opening of the debate on the Address.

The Prime Minister dwelt strongly on the administrative necessity for regularizing the financial position disturbed by the Upper House's unconstitutional action.