ABSTRACT
The Liberal government elected in 1910 was converted into a three-party coalition in May 1915 by the introduction of Conservative and Labour ministers. This increasingly ran into difficulties through failure to achieve a quick end to the war. At the same time, by-election successes made the Conservatives the largest party in the Commons. George V played a pivotal role in the choice of a Prime Minister on two more occasions, due in no small measure to the reputation for fair dealing which he had already earned. Initially, he seems to have acted very much in the role of arbitrator, encouraging the politicians to produce a workable solution which would command political legitimacy. In 1990, Margaret Thatcher, having lost the confidence of her cabinet, resigned as Conservative leader and, after the party elected John Major in her place, resigned as Prime Minister.
