In his delightful book, “Long Shadows”, published by John Murray of London in 1966, Sir Shane Leslie of Glaslough had this to say of the McKennas:
“A large number of priests and people on the estate bore the name of McKenna, which was rare in England until Daniel O’Connell brought their Chief from our estate in Truagh (barony) to London to open a Bank. The McKenna family were successful outside their own country, producing a Dictator in South America and a Justice of the Supreme Bench in Washington. O’Connell’s protègés in England were successful bankers but lost their faith, though in the next generation the McKenna ladies returned to popery. One grandson, Reginald McKenna, became Liberal Chancellor of the Exchequer and later presided over the Midland Bank. There was even a moment when, occupying a City of London seat, he might have stopped a gap in Downing Street.”
This Reginald McKenna, that Shane Leslie refers to, was a direct descendant of the McKenna brought over by O’Connell. He was the son of a civil servant, W. C. McKenna, and was born on July 6th, 1863. Educated at King’s College and at Cambridge, he specialised in mathematics and financial affairs. Later he joined the Liberal Party and was elected to Westminster as member for North Monmouthshire in 1895.
ATTACK ON CHAMBERLAIN’S BUDGET
In parliament line concentrated on finance and first came to prominence when he made a widely publicised attack on a budget of Austin Chamberlain. The Liberals then came to power in 1905 and McKenna was appointed Financial Secretary to the Treasury. Later has became President of the Board of Education and so took a place at the Cabinet table. Prime Minister Asquith then appointed him First Lord of the Admiralty. On March 21st, 1909, he informed the assembled MPs that their government had totally underestimated the growth of the German navy. He was then instrumental in having Britain? navy strengthened by the addition of several battleships, a move that was partially responsible for the slogan “Britannia Rules the Waves”.
He came into conflict with the War Minister, Haldane, and as a result was switched from the Admiralty to the post of Home Secretary, a position then held by Winston Churchill. In May of 1915 he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer and was responsible for two war-time budgets. His budget of September 21st, 1915, was the biggest ever in British history up to then. Later in 1917, however, Asquith was succeeded by Lloyd George and Reginald McKenna immediately resigned as he totally disliked the Welshman.
In 1918 he left politics altogether and became Chairman of the Midland Bank. He declined offers to be made Chancellor of the Exchequer again when the post was offered to him by no less than two prime ministers, Bonar Law and Stanley Baldwin, and remained in the banking business until he died on September 6th, 1943.
HOW WOULD HE HAVE TREATED 1921?
Few Irishmen have risen to such exalted positions in Britain, and this Reginald McKenna certainly deserves our praise and respect. No wonder Shane Leslie stated that at one stage “he might have stopped a gap in Downing Street”, meaning that he might easily have become Prime Minister of England. One can only surmise how he might have reacted had he been British Prime Minister at the time of the 1921 Treaty negotiations!
Footnote: A much more detailed account of the life and times of this Reginald McKenna, written by Vincent McNicholl, appeared in “Clann MacKenna No. 4” (1996). Seamus McCluskey.