ABSTRACT
In the three decades before 1830 the Tories had appeared the natural governing party of Britain. Then, after 1830, the balance had shifted in favour of the Whigs, or Liberals, who held power for forty-two years out of the total of fifty-five between 1830 and 1885. During this period the Conservatives had won only two of the thirteen general elections, those of 1841 and 1874.
