Benjamin Disraeli (1868, 1874-1880) - Prime Minister - Parliament

Benjamin Disraeli was born in 1804 and after a private education he followed in the footsteps of his father, Isaac Disraeli, by plying his trade as a novelist. He also had a keen interest in politics and after several failed attempts as a radical Whig politician, he finally made it into the House of Commons.

Once in there however, he became a progressive Tory. After the Conservative victory in 1841 Disraeli was largely sidelined by Peel’s government and grew disillusioned with the Tory ways. He formed the Young England Group and argued that the middle classes had too much power and that there should be an alliance between the aristocracy and the working classes. Disraeli progressed politically under Lord Derby who appointed him as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

He finally became Prime Minister himself when Lord Derby resigned but this was a short-lived as the Liberals were returned to power. After six years of strong opposition Disraeli and the Tories returned to office with a clear majority. Unlike the Prime Minister before him, Disraeli had a good relationship with the Queen who approved of his imperialist views. Eventually after the Tories were defeated, Disraeli retired from politics.

Disraeli commenting on the reception to his maiden speech in the House of Commons:

“though I sit down now, the time will come when you will hear me”.

Sympathy for the Chartists:
The “rights of labour were as sacred as the rights of property”.
"I repeat, that all power is a trust, that we are accountable for its exercise, and that, from the people, and for the people, all springs, and all must exist"

"A conservative government is an organized hypocrisy"

"I believe that without party, Parliamentary government is impossible"
"I look upon Parliamentary Government as the noblest government in the world"

"It would be a tragedy if anybody were to push Mr Gladstone into the river and a disaster if anybody were to pull him out again"