Wonderful lecture by Sir Peter Tapsell MP on FE Smith, repeated on the Parliamentary Channel as part of the 1911 lectures.

He was an champion opponent of disestablishmentarianism:


Are they clinging to their crosses,
F. E. Smith,
Where the Breton boat-fleet tosses,
Are they, Smith?
Do they, fasting, trembling, bleeding,
Wait the news from this our city?
Groaning "That's the Second Reading!"
Hissing "There is still Committee!"
If the voice of Cecil falters,
If McKenna's point has pith,
Do they tremble for their altars?
Do they, Smith?

Have deleted two verses - it was a bit long.