To replace workers in the war region the conservatives employed Chinese workers, paid them minimal wages and they worked in awful conditions. This was seen as a form of slave labour and the Liberals used this to trigger sentimental feeling towards them. Also the concentration camps that the conservatives used to hold Boer prisoners were seen as totally inhumane and the electorate saw this as wrong and many refused to be associated with people who could carry out these sort of atrocities. .
The Liberals also saw that the conservative's domestic policies were not working and they could capitalise on this. The Conservatives under Balfour introduced the Education act in 1902. This replaced school boards and integrated them into the state system. Church of England schools received taxes from the general rates. This angered non-conformists as they were paying for religious education that they didn't want. Also he introduced the licensing act in 1904 which restricted laws on how long pubs could be open. Owners and brewers received compensation, which again angered non-conformists as they thought that they shouldn't be making money when they are not open. .
The conservatives had never been a well organised party. This became more apparent as their dominance came under threat. When a party is loosing popularity it is important that they take measures to try and win the popularity back. This is often done by public speaking. Chief agent Wells was not as capable as his predecessor, and the Prime minister at the time lacked charisma and leadership to halt the decline of his party. He needed to encourage voters to stick by the conservatives but his lack of charisma and inability at public speaking did not help the conservative cause. Also internal power struggles and the split over imperial preference led to a party in turmoil. .
The opinion amongst the lower classes was that the conservatives were only concerned with the rich.