David Lloyd George was Chancellor of the Exchequer at the start of the First World War and was a key figure in the coalition government. In 1916 he was made Secretary of State for War.

Towards the end of 1916 a divide developed between Lloyd George and Prime Minister H H Asquith over the formation of a supreme war cabinet which Lloyd George advocated. Many in the coalition had lost confidence in the wartime leadership of Asquith and some believed Lloyd George could be the leader to win the war. In early December, Lloyd George resigned as Secretary of State for War and following further resignations within the cabinet, Asquith was forced to resign. On 7 December 1916, Lloyd George was appointed Prime Minister.