policy of imperial preference for the British empire as the best way of resolving the Great Depression and while opposed to Indian independence was open towards the Indians having a say in ruling India. Baldwin responded to Rothermere's attacks by citing numerous false statements made about his views of India in The Daily Mail. Beaverbrook was hesitant about the precise purpose of the United Empire Party as he could never quite decide if he wanted to depose Baldwin or just be afforded the respect he felt he deserved within the Conservative Party. Beaverbrook felt that his origins as a self-made millionaire Canadian businessman made him an outsider in the Conservative party. Rothermere by contrast was committed to deposing Baldwin and replacing him with a more right-wing leader. Baldwin greatly detested both Rothermere and Beaverbrook, saying to "call them swine was to libel a very clean, decent animal". In a speech, Baldwin charged that the way that Beaverbrook and Rothermere were attempting to use their vast fortunes to alter the Conservative party to their liking was "the most obvious peril to democracy". Despite his dislike of Beaverbrook, Baldwin met with him several times to promise that the Conservatives might change their polices on protectionism if he would cease his support of the United Empire Party. Baldwin refused to have any talks with Rothermere, whom he regarded as a megalomaniac with whom it was pointless to negotiate with. Beaverbrook temporarily abandoned his support of the United Empire party in March 1930, but resumed his alliance with Rothermere in May 1930. In a risky move, Baldwin ordered a number of Conservative MPs holding safe Tory seats to resign to cause by-elections with the aim to "expose the real weakness of the press lords". The Conservative Central Office advised against this strategy, warning that many ordinary Conservative voters were deeply unhappy with Baldwin's leadership and the by-elections might have "disastrous results-even break up the party altogether". Baldwin made rejecting "the preposterous and insolent demands" of the "press lords" his signature issue. Through Baldwin was unpopular within his party, the campaign by Rothermere and Beaverbrook to depose him and replace him with a puppet leader who would do their bidding was even more unpopular. Most Conservative MPs and party members did not relish the prospect of their party being turned into a vehicle for Rothermere and Beaverbrook, which proved to be Baldwin's strongest card. In