First Salisbury ministry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Salisbury ministry |
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.svg){kind=small} Caretaker government of the United Kingdom |
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| 1885–1886 | |
Salisbury (1882)
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| Date formed | 23 June 1885 |
| Date dissolved | 28 January 1886 |
| People and organisations | |
| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | Lord Salisbury |
| Total no. of members | 70 appointments |
| Member party | Conservative Party |
| Status in legislature |
Minority
dependent on IPP support |
| Opposition party | Liberal Party |
| Opposition leaders |
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| History | |
| Outgoing election | 1885 general election |
| Legislature term(s) |
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| Predecessor | Second Gladstone ministry |
| Successor | Third Gladstone ministry |
In June 1885, Lord Salisbury became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He was chosen by Queen Victoria to lead the country. His government was a "caretaker government," which means it was a temporary government. It took over after William Ewart Gladstone stepped down. Lord Salisbury's government lasted for just over seven months.
Contents
Salisbury's Government Team
A government's cabinet is a group of the most important ministers. These ministers help the Prime Minister make big decisions for the country. Lord Salisbury's cabinet included several key roles.
Key Roles in the Cabinet
- Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs: Lord Salisbury himself held two very important jobs. He was the Prime Minister, leading the whole government. He was also the Foreign Secretary, dealing with other countries.
- First Lord of the Treasury: This role was held by The Earl of Iddesleigh. This position is often linked with the Prime Minister's role.
- Lord Chancellor: The Lord Halsbury was the Lord Chancellor. This person is the head of the justice system and a senior member of the government.
- Home Secretary: Sir Richard Cross was the Home Secretary. This minister is in charge of law and order within the country.
- Chancellor of the Exchequer: Sir Michael Hicks Beach was the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This person manages the country's money and taxes.
Changes in the Cabinet
During its short time, Salisbury's government saw a few changes in who held which job.
- August 1885: The Duke of Richmond became the Secretary for Scotland. Edward Stanhope took over his previous role at the Board of Trade.
- January 1886: The role of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland became a shared responsibility. William Henry Smith became the Chief Secretary for Ireland. Lord Cranbrook took over as Secretary of State for War, while still being the Lord President of the Council.
How the Government Ended
Lord Salisbury's government was a minority government. This means his party did not have the most seats in Parliament. They needed support from other parties, especially the Irish Parliamentary Party. In January 1886, the government lost a vote in Parliament. This meant they no longer had enough support to govern, and Lord Salisbury had to resign. William Ewart Gladstone then became Prime Minister again.
