Labour had then neither the essential leader nor the necessary parliamentary strength: Liberalism was confused and uncertain at the critical moment.
Yet in the very process of achieving this success Redmond laid himself open to attack.

The Budget was regarded with dislike by a very large section of Irishmen, and apart from considerations of political strategy the Irish members would certainly have voted against it.

Now, the power was in their hands to defeat it finally.

By so doing they would, of course, justify to some degree the unconstitutional action of the Lords; but this consideration did not weigh with Mr.O'Brien and Mr.Healy.
They accused Redmond of selling the real interests of Ireland to keep a Government in office which could offer nothing in return but a gambling chance of limiting the veto of the Lords.

Mr.O'Brien was firmly confident that no such measure would ever pass.