Palmerston died in 1865 and was replaced by [[John Russell]], who in turn retired in 1867, making Gladstone leader of the Liberal Party. The Liberals won the 1868 general election and Gladstone became [[Prime Minister]], in a government described as ‘the greatest of the 19th century’. A number of important reforms were passed, such as the disestablishment of the unpopular Church of Ireland in 1869, the Forster Education Act of 1870, which provided free primary education for all, and the 1872 Ballot Act, which ensured a secret ballot in all future elections. | Palmerston died in 1865 and was replaced by [[John Russell]], who in turn retired in 1867, making Gladstone leader of the Liberal Party. The Liberals won the 1868 general election and Gladstone became [[Prime Minister]], in a government described as ‘the greatest of the 19th century’. A number of important reforms were passed, such as the disestablishment of the unpopular Church of Ireland in 1869, the Forster Education Act of 1870, which provided free primary education for all, and the 1872 Ballot Act, which ensured a secret ballot in all future elections. |