ABSTRACT
The Liberals won the 1880 election by their attacks upon 'Beaconsneldism'; but it was not clear what their positive purposes were, for they offered no detailed reform programme. The coalition character of the Liberal Party was reflected in Gladstone's cabinet. Alongside Whigs such as Lords Granville (Foreign Secretary) and Hartington (Indian Secretary), Gladstone had reluctantly accepted Joseph Chamberlain as President of the Board of Trade, even though the radical leader had no preliminary experience of junior office. John Bright became Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and W. E. Forster Irish Chief Secretary. Gladstone himself had retired from the party leadership in 1875; but after his Bulgarian agitation and Midlothian campaigns there was no real doubt who must head the Government, even though the queen made clear her strong preference for Hartington.
