ABSTRACT
Balfour, prime minister from July 1902 to December 1905, is in many respects the odd-man-out among modern premiers. It was perhaps inevitable that Balfour should incur the abuse of both factions as he attempted to steer a middle path. And although it was undoubtedly Balfour's tactical guile which held the Unionist ministry together for the following two years, a heavy price was exacted for this achievement. In December, in a last desperate throw, Balfour tried to wrong-foot his opponents by resigning office instead of dissolving parliament. In April 1925 Balfour returned to office, Baldwin appointing him Lord President for a second time. It is certainly the case that Balfour devoted large amounts of time to golf and tennis, and had a deep love of music. Balfour was the most flexible of Conservative leaders, quick to see the need for change in an evolving world.
