Benjamin Disraeli
Benjamin Disraeli was a Conservative politician, member of the Parliament, and prime minister of the United Kingdom.
Contents
History
Disraeli first won election to the House of Commons for Maidstone in 1837, as a Conservative.
In the 1841 general election, he switched to the safer and cheaper constituency of Shrewsbury.
Disraeli opposed the Peel government's repeal of the Corn Laws. He led a protectionist faction, and while the Peelites were ultimately successful, the party irrevocably fragmented. The government dissolved in 1846 and a minority Whig government under Russell emerged. Over the course of several years, Disraeli centralized power and became the effective party leader.
The government lost a series of votes in 1851 and 1852, leading to Russell's resignation; Smith-Stanley was left to attempt an alternate minority government. This so-called Who? Who? ministry was composed almost entirely of ministers with no prior experience in government, including Disraeli in the Treasury. This government also fell within a year.
In 1858, Smith-Stanley again attempted a minority government, and Disraeli again was appointed to the Treasury. A snap election was called for May 1859, and while the Conservatives gained some seats, they remained a minority. The Whigs, Radicals, and Peelites meanwhile merged to establish the Liberal Party; the government was promptly defeated in a vote and Smith-Stanley resigned.
Temple led the new government and the new party; following his death in 1865, Russell succeeded as leader. Throughout this period though, Gladstone was politically ascendant. His priority was a Reform Act to expand suffrage. Disraeli was able to split the Liberals on the issue, causing the government to lose the vote in 1866.
With Russell's resignation, Smith-Stanley really again attempted a minority government, and Disraeli really again was appointed to the Treasury. Disraeli then co-opted the Reform Act and succeeded in passing it through then Parliament in 1867. Despite the Conservative government, Gladstone did continue introducing and passing legislation using the Liberal majority. Snap elections were purposefully not called because the reformed electoral rolls were not ready.
In February 1868, owing to failing health, Smith-Stanley resigned and Disraeli succeeded as prime minister.
Snap elections were held in December, which the Liberals won; Gladstone became PM for the first time.
Gladstone lost a series of votes, beginning with a 1873 bill aiming to establish a university in Dublin. Disraeli was offered leadership, but declined so as to avoid another minority government. He instead waited until Gladstone was forced to call snap elections. In February 1874, Disraeli led the Conservatives to win a majority, the first time since Peel was leader. Disraeli became PM for the second time.
In 1875, Egypt was bankrupted. Without consulting the Parliament or seeking the passage of any act, Disraeli directed the purchase of 44% of the shares in the Suez Canal.
In 1876, Disraeli was created earl of Beaconsfield and viscount of Hughenden.
He participated in the Congress of Berlin in 1878.
The Conservatives were severely defeated in the April 1880 general election; Gladstone became PM for the second time.
Disraeli's health rapidly declined and he died the following year.