Second Peel ministry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Second Peel ministry
1841–1846
Peel by Robert Richard Scanlan
Date formed	30 August 1841 (1841-08-30)
Date dissolved	29 June 1846 (1846-06-29)
People and organisations
Monarch	Queen Victoria
Prime Minister	Sir Robert Peel
Member parties	Conservative Party
Opposition party	Whigs
Opposition leaders	Lord John Russell in the House of Commons The Viscount Melbourne (1841–1842) The Marquess of Lansdowne (1842–1846) in the House of Lords
History
Election(s)	1841 general election
Predecessor	Second Melbourne ministry
Successor	First Russell ministry

Imagine a team of important people who help run a country. That's what a 'ministry' is! From 1841 to 1846, Sir Robert Peel led such a team in the United Kingdom. This team was called the second Peel ministry. They made big decisions for the country.

How Peel's Government Started

Sir Robert Peel became Prime Minister for the second time in 1841. This happened after his political group, the Conservatives, won a big election. The previous government, led by the Whig party under Lord Melbourne, had to step down.

Key People in Peel's Team

Peel chose several important people for his government.

• Henry Goulburn became the Chancellor of the Exchequer. This person manages the country's money.
• Lord Aberdeen, who would later become Prime Minister, was the Foreign Secretary. This role involves dealing with other countries.
• Sir James Graham was the Home Secretary. This person is in charge of law and order inside the country.

In 1843, William Gladstone joined the team for the first time. He became the President of the Board of Trade, which meant he looked after business and trade. Another famous politician, Benjamin Disraeli, was not chosen by Peel. Disraeli often spoke out against Peel's government.

Why Peel's Government Ended

Peel's government faced a big challenge in 1846. He decided to support changing the Corn Laws. These laws made food, especially bread, very expensive. Peel wanted to make food cheaper for everyone.

However, many people in his own party, the Conservatives, disagreed strongly with this change. This disagreement caused a big split in the party. Because of this, Peel's government lost support and had to resign. A new government was then formed by the Whig party, led by Lord John Russell.

Who Was in the Cabinet?

The cabinet was the main group of ministers who made the most important decisions. Here are the members of Peel's cabinet from September 1841 to July 1846.

Contemporary engraving showing the members of the Peel ministry

Changes in the Cabinet

Over time, some ministers changed roles or left the cabinet.

• In October 1841, Lord FitzGerald took over from Lord Ellenborough as President of the Board of Control.
• In February 1842, the Duke of Buccleuch became Lord Privy Seal, replacing the Duke of Buckingham.
• In May 1843, Lord Ripon became President of the Board of Control. William Gladstone then took Ripon's old job as President of the Board of Trade.
• In May 1844, Lord Granville Somerset, who was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, joined the cabinet.
• In February 1845, William Gladstone left his role as President of the Board of Trade. Lord Lincoln, the First Commissioner of Woods and Forests, joined the cabinet.
• In December 1845, Gladstone returned to the cabinet. He became Secretary for War and the Colonies, taking over from Lord Stanley.
• In January 1846, several changes happened:
  • The Duke of Buccleuch became Lord President.
  • Lord Haddington took over from Buccleuch as Lord Privy Seal.
  • Ellenborough became First Lord of the Admiralty.
  • Lord Lincoln became Chief Secretary for Ireland.

Other Important Government Roles

Besides the main cabinet, many other people held important positions in the government. Members of the cabinet are shown in bold.