British Prime Ministers

[markpeters]

I thought it might be helpful to list the British Prime Ministers, and their political parties, from 1763 to 1812.  There are a couple of great men, with the majority scaling the heights of mediocrity.  The two that stand out over this period were Pitt 'The Elder and his son, Pitt 'The Younger'.  Both Prime Ministers; but for different parties.  Spencer Perceval is of interest as he was the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated.

1762-63  John Stuart, Earl of Bute   (Tory)
1763-65  George Grenville (Whig)
1765-66  Charles Wentworth, Marquess of Rockingham (Whig)
1766-68  The Earl of Chatham, William Pitt 'The Elder' (Whig)
1768-70  Augustus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Grafton (Whig)
1770-82  Lord North (Tory)
1782-82  Charles Wentworth, Marquess of Rockingham (Whig)
1782-83  William Petty, Earl of Shelburne (Whig)
1783-83  William Bentinck, Duke of Portland (Whig)
1783-01  William Pitt 'The Younger' (Tory)
1801-04  Henry Addington (Tory)
1804-06  William Pitt 'The Younger' (Tory)
1806-07  William Wyndam Grenville, Lord Grenville (Whig)
1807-09  William Bentinck, Duke of Portland (Whig)
1809-12  Spencer Perceval (Tory)
1812-27  Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of Liverpool (Tory)

So, that's the list of big British players over the period.  The ones most responsible for how things transpired on this side of the Atlantic.

Mark

[The General]

Mark,

How is that the Pitts ended up on opposite sides of the aisle?

Eric

[markpeters]

Eric,

I've just re-formatted my table.  It looked a bit of a mess!   

"How is that the Pitts ended up on opposite sides of the aisle?"

Pitt 'The Elder' was the statesman of the time but died several years before Pitt 'The Younger' entered Parliament.  Both had been critics of the war in the American colonies, and both were Whigs.  The other leading political mind at that time was Charles Fox, cousin of Pitt 'The Younger'.  All were active in campaigning for peace with the American colonies.

Pitt 'The Younger' left the Whigs in disgust, due to their policies, and sat as an Independent.  For some reason, the King, despite Pitt's demands for Parliamentary Reform, criticism of the Monarchy, and having no supporters, invited him to form a government.  He was also the youngest PM ever, and I think was in his mid-20s when he achieved that position.  Interesting reading for those who thought we had a democracy at that time?

Pitt, who was very much admired by Lord North, turned to the Tories for support.  This might seem surprising for a Party that is often viewed as traditional, yet they were the radical reforming party of their time.  For example, William Wilberforce was a close friend and supporter of Pitt 'The Younger'.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, this was very much part of the Tories 'taking over the establishment'.  Certainly, Lord North must be praised for his vision in 'signing up' Pitt to the Tory cause.

Mark     

[The General]

Mark,

Thanks--that's very helpful.

Eric

[Uncle Ben]

Mark
 What part in all this did George germain play? I recall he was George Sackville during the Seven Years War and earned the title of Coward of Minden in that battle.
                                      Ben    fourthbnra@hotmail.com

[markpeters]

Ben,

I'm not sure what you mean with "what part in all this did George Germain play?"  I'll assume that it is with regards to his part in British politics.

In terms of political allegiance, he had been an independent but gained political advancement under Lord North.  As Lord North's government fell, so did the stock of Lord George Germain.  His appointment as Secretary of State for the American Department was a bizarre appointment, given his past.  His ineptness surely increased the difficulties experienced between a Tory government and Whig Generals.

Given the current scandal in this country, with the Labour Party allegedly selling peerages to those who donate money to PM Blair's cause, it is interesting to note that his elevation to Viscount Sackville met with a great deal of likewise controversy.  Who says things change for the better?

Best wishes,

Mark