ABSTRACT
Parnell developed the practice of destructive and obstructive Opposition to the full, whilst Randolph Churchill and the so-called ‘Fourth Party’ adopted fierce and aggressive methods which evidently disregarded all the conventions of parliamentary practice. Gladstone and his colleagues were to remain in Opposition for some six years, returning to office in August 1892. Shortly after the seventy-seven-year-old leader had resigned office he left for a vacation at Tegernsee in Bavaria together with Lord Acton. A most interesting incident took place just prior to the opening of the Session in February 1892. It would seem that there was a ‘semi-official’ dinner for the leaders of the Liberal party. One of the basic points about the modern Shadow Cabinet is that members of this body specialize and take responsibility in Opposition for particular subjects. It has become quite common for many of the shadow spokesmen, either upon the entry of their party to office.
