Pitt

Question 1

Initial position

Answer 1

Minority leader= 149 votes relied on, fox/north commanded 230 votes, roughly 60 votes short of majority (on normal attendance)
Weak government= only member of his cabinet in commons, heavyweights excluded e.g shelburne, jenkinson
-fox/north confident in quick defeat, “mince pie” administration

Question 2

Pitt’s strategy

Answer 2

Raise support within commons= delaying elections to tackle opposition head on, undermining coalition, demonstrating ability to independent MPs
Raise support outside commons= tried to rally conservative & reformist support, been antagonised by coalition
-asked George III to call election (2nd March 1784), minority stood in single figures & tide flowing against Fox

Question 3

Pitt’s personal qualities

Answer 3

Influence= independent voters voted for Pitt, impressed with strong impression that younger Pitt had given himself in difficult circumstances, family named, reputation of father & elder Pitt
-attracted those who favoured reform & more moral & principled type of politics than practised by foxities
Explanation= Pitt was reformer, opposed corrupt system of voting for MPs and wanted to end war against American colonies, speeches & intellect attracted attention, ignored defeat

Question 4

The support of king

Answer 4

Influence= January 1784, king wrote to Pitt, urged him to call election as was concerned that it was wrong for Pitt to remain PM with only backing of crown
-delay of dissolving parliament of considerable importance, king used all influence in House of Lords to persuade peers not to support Whig aristocrats
Explanation= George wanted able & loyal prime minister in place of Whig minsters who wanted to dominate him, King dislike alliance between Whig & previous P! Lord North, Pitt carful to keep King’s confidence

Question 5

The unpopularity of fox & north coalition

Answer 5

Influence= coalition between fox/north & influence of Whigs highly unpopular, more than 100 MPs supported Fox and influential Whig lords lost their seats
Explanation= fox opposed war against American colonies, disliked by King
-large unkempt person of huge vitality, committed to reducing inflow crown & supporting popular rights

Question 6

1784 election

Answer 6

-national campaign rather than focus on local issues
-parliament dissolved on 24th March
-polling lasted till May
-election managers (Robinson & Dundas) secured pocket boroughs
-crown influence

Question 7

Results

Answer 7

Pitt= majority of about 120, 52 pitties, 138 foxites, 183 independent, 185 crown party
Westminster borough= 2 seats & 13,000 voters, fox, sir Cecil Wray, admiral hood
Fox got. 6233 vs Wray got 5998

Question 8

Factors in Pitt’s success

Answer 8

-royal patronage & influence
-appeal independents, liked Pitt’s unblemished reputation, family name & principled/moral stance
-disliked fox/north, naked political ambition over principle

Question 9

why was the 1784 a “significant” election?

Answer 9

-hard fought on national lines, rather than local interests
-confirmed pitt in office,gave platform (emerging pitties/new torries) for next two decades
-able to govern effectively on basis of strong majorities in commons, lords & support of king

Question 10

what problems did Pitt face in 1783?

Answer 10

debt= war with america been hugely expensive
isolated in europe= war with america involved fighting against French & Spain
own position= minority government threatened fox/north coalition
parliamentary reform= political system unrepresentative, especially of new towns & growing industry
america= loss of colony could threaten britain’s commercial supremacy
administration= system designed to satisfy political not administrative aims