The reforming Whig government led by Earl Grey, which had come into power on the collapse of Wellington's Tory government in November 1830, eventually withdrew from power when Earl Grey decided to retire from frontline politics, Lord Melbourne became leader of the Whig Party. He was not naturally a zealous reformer, nor was he particularly keen to take up the post of premier. However, his moderate views were insufficient for King William IV, who in November 1834 dismissed him from power, and called upon the Tory Party instead to form a government. By this time, their effective leader was Robert Peel, but at this precise point, when he had not been expecting to be called upon to take up an executive role, he was abroad in Italy. As a …

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Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "The Duke of Wellington becomes Prime Minister for the second time". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 August 2013 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1848, accessed 23 November 2024.]