 A number of attempts at reform under the Conservative government of 1901-1905 had failed to make any lasting changes to the system, and left the auxiliary forces disorganised and demoralised.With the Liberal victory in December 1905, Haldane was appointed as Secretary of State for War, and immediately set about reforming the Army to best prepare it for an intervention in a European war.He decided on a regular Expeditionary Force and an auxiliary "Territorial Force", which would be liable for home defence, with an expanded reserve for the Regular Army.