Contribution of both Gladstone and Disraeli to British Politics Between 1846 and 1865

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Contribution of both Gladstone and Disraeli to British Politics Between 1846 and 1865

The debate over the Corn Laws in 1846 brought Gladstone and Disraeli

much closer to the forefront of British Politics. Gladstone was part

of the Tory party led by his mentor Peel who supported the abolition

of the Corn Laws and in essence supported Free Trade. The Tory party

were divided on whether to support Free Trade; Disraeli was a leading

player in the section of the Tory party, which wanted to keep

Britain’s policy of Protectionism.

Disraeli’s first major contribution to British politics was being a

key player in the split of the Tory party in 1946, which led to the

Tories not forming a majority Government until 1874. In 1946,

Gladstone left the Whigs after Peel’s resignation over the Irish

Coercion Bill and joined his party of Peelites. Gladstone had a key

role within the Peelites, which was a major contributing factor to

preventing the Tories returning to power with a majority.

In 1952 Disraeli was Chancellor of the Tory government. This

government was led by Derby and was weak in names and ability. It

could be argued that a major achievement of Disraeli’s was being a

major player in keeping the Tories alive and remotely electable for

the 20 years after it’s split. Disraeli as Chancellor announced as

part of his budget that the Tories would be moving towards Free

Trade. Gladstone had hated Disraeli ever since 1946 after Disraeli’s

attack on Peel and his policies, and in 1952 made his feelings known

and led a long and blistering attack against Disraeli in the commons,

the storm that raged in the skies was linked by many historians t...

... middle of paper ...

...aying much of the reforms that

Gladstone and the Liberals wanted. Disraeli also modernised the Tory

party and knew that for the Conservatives to remain a key party in

British politics they would have to appeal to as many people as

possible. As Gladstone was giving people of less wealth the vote the

Conservatives would have to appeal to them as they were in larger

numbers than the rich landowners who they currently appealed to. As

the Tories were the main party of the 20th century he can be given

credit for laying the foundations for them to be so strong with some

leaders such as Thatcher appealing greatly to the working class.

However perhaps the most significant issue of this period was that

both men started their huge rivalry and many argue hatred in 1952

which shaped and divided British politics for many years.

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