MP branded traitor by Yorkshire crowd

Stirling Burghs MP Arthur Ponsonby was branded a traitor when he addressed a meeting in Yorkshire.

The Liberal politician backed the Union of Democratic Control, a grouping formed following the outbreak of war.

It claimed not to be a pacifist organisation but was opposed to military influence on government and believed the war was the result of secret diplomacy.

Mr Ponsonby was against Britain’s involvement in the war and had made his views known in speeches across the country, prompting calls for him to resign as an MP.

According to the Observer, Mr Ponsonby was “severely heckled” by a group of soldiers at the UDC meeting in Leeds.

Many of the servicemen had been wounded and were about to return to the front. They asked him whether he was prepared to make the sacrifice they were making.

When he replied that they were now punishing the Germans there were cries of “We are, thank God” and “My God, we have gone through it.”

One soldier shouted: “Don’t squeal because your pals the Germans are suffering”.

Mr Ponsonby said, while they were punishing the German people, they were not hurting the Kaiser and the women and children of Germany were suffering.

A voice from the audience said: “What about the way in which women and children of Belgium have suffered?” and another audience member added: “The German women brought these rotten Huns into the world.”

Asked what he had done for his country, Mr Ponsonby pointed to his speeches and said he had suffered abuse.

A sergeant said: “We don’t want to know what you have been preaching about. We want to know what you have done for your country.” No answer from the MP was reported.

Mr Ponsonby had earlier told the meeting his son was 12 and too young to serve in the forces.

Asked whether he would allow him to join the Army when he was old enough, Mr Ponsonby said “no”.

“Then you are a traitor to your king and country,” said voices from the hall.

Mr Ponsonby had received a similar rough ride when in December he addressed an audience of 1200 in Stirling’s Albert Halls. It was the first time he had addressed his constituents since the start of war.