Changes

==Conservative to Liberal==

==Conservative to Liberal==

In an historic move, Gladstone joined [[Lord Palmerston|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 [[Lord Palmerston|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.

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.

However, not all of the new legislation was popular with the voting public. Gladstone was defeated in the 1874 general election by his political rival [[Benjamin Disraeli|Disraeli]], and soon after resigned as Liberal leader. However, Disraeli’s aggressive foreign policy (particularly in the [[Near East]]) spurred Gladstone back into frontline politics as he launched an extensive campaign against the Conservative government, (known as the ‘Midlothian Campaign’) in 1879 and 1880.

However, not all of the new legislation was popular with the voting public. Gladstone was defeated in the 1874 general election by his political rival [[Benjamin Disraeli|Disraeli]], and soon after resigned as Liberal leader. However, Disraeli’s aggressive foreign policy (particularly in the [[Near East]]) spurred Gladstone back into frontline politics as he launched an extensive campaign against the Conservative government, (known as the ‘Midlothian Campaign’) in 1879 and 1880.