The mainstream Liberal Party meanwhile experienced difficulties with its relations with the National Government , which was dominated by Conservatives who supported tariffs . On 22 January 1932 the Cabinet announced an " agreement to differ " , suspending Cabinet collective responsibility so that the four members of the Cabinet who supported free trade ( Liberals Herbert Samuel , Donald Maclean and Sir Archibald Sinclair together with Viscount Snowden who was nominally National Labour ) should be " at liberty to express their views by speech and vote " . When ( in September 1932 ) the Cabinet endorsed the conclusion of the Ottawa Conference , favouring protective tariffs , all Liberal ministers together with Viscount Snowden resigned but the Liberals continued to support the National Government on all other policies
Ottawa Conference
British Empire Economic Conference
Independent Liberals (UK, 1931)