Second Gladstone ministry | |
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1880–1885 | |
![]() Gladstone (1879) | |
Date formed | 23 April 1880 |
Date dissolved | 9 June 1885 |
People and organisations | |
Monarch | Victoria |
Prime Minister | William Gladstone |
Total no. of members | 118 appointments |
Member party | Liberal Party |
Status in legislature | Majority |
Opposition party | Conservative Party |
Opposition leaders |
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History | |
Election | 1880 general election |
Legislature terms | |
Predecessor | Second Disraeli ministry |
Successor | First Salisbury ministry |
After campaigning against the foreign policy of the Beaconsfield ministry, William Gladstone led the Liberal Party to victory in the 1880 general election. The nominal leader of the Party, Lord Hartington, resigned in Gladstone's favour and Gladstone was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for a second time by Queen Victoria. He pursued a policy of parliamentary reform, but his government became wildly unpopular after the death of General Gordon in 1885. Gladstone was held responsible, and resigned, leaving the way free for the Conservatives under Lord Salisbury to form a government.