Changes

In 1852, he became Chancellor of the Exchequer in a Whig-Peelite coalition government. The government resigned in 1855 over the Crimean War and Gladstone spent the next four years in the political wilderness, refusing to join Derby’s Conservative Ministry on the grounds that he did not want to work with Benjamin Disraeli.

In 1852, he became Chancellor of the Exchequer in a Whig-Peelite coalition government. The government resigned in 1855 over the Crimean War and Gladstone spent the next four years in the political wilderness, refusing to join Derby’s Conservative Ministry on the grounds that he did not want to work with Benjamin Disraeli.

==1859 - 1880==

==Conservative to Liberal==

In an historic move, Gladstone joined Palmerston’s new Liberal government in 1859 as Chancellor of the Exchequer. In this post, Gladstone was steadily able to reduce income tax during his time in office. He also moved significantly towards the Left during this period. He had originally opposed further electoral reform, but by 1865, was in favour of extending the franchise to the working classes in the towns.

In an historic move, Gladstone joined Palmerston’s new Liberal government in 1859 as Chancellor of the Exchequer. In this post, Gladstone was steadily able to reduce income tax during his time in office. He also moved significantly towards the Left during this period. He had originally opposed further electoral reform, but by 1865, was in favour of extending the franchise to the working classes in the towns.