Chapter Two - National and local politics, 1741–1747

Summary

The fall of Walpole

The 1741 election gave Walpole a theoretical majority of twenty-six; eighteen of them with uncertain loyalty. On 16 December, the Tory, Dr George Lee was elected chairman of the key Committee of Privilege and Elections. After winning a number of votes, Walpole lost a case over a disputed election in Chippenham by one vote on 28 January 1742. On 11 February, he resigned and his long premiership was over.

National politics, 1741–1746

Walpole's successor was one of his opponents, Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington. The new administration comprised thirteen of Walpole's friends (including the Duke of Newcastle and his brother, Henry Pelham) and only five of Wilmington's own friends. The Tories were particularly badly treated, partly because of Walpole and Newcastle's hostile lobbying. Lord Carteret of Hawnes Park, a vigorous opponent of Walpole, became the Secretary to the Northern Department. Lord Hardwicke, father-in-law to Jemima Marchioness Grey of Wrest Park, retained his post as Lord Chancellor.

Wilmington died on 4 July 1743 and by August was replaced by Henry Pelham, Walpole's intended heir, with his brother, Newcastle, continuing as Secretary of State. Pelham's appointment occurred despite George II's victory at Dettingen over the French, seemingly vindicating Carteret's pro-Hanoverian policy.

Relations in the cabinet worsened and Carteret was forced to renege on a subsidy to Maria Theresa of Austria, which helped her in wars with France and Prussia. Britain declared war formally with France on February 1744. In November the ‘Old Corps’ i.e. those who had served under Walpole, demanded the resignation of Carteret (Earl Granville since 18 October 1744).

The King asked Carteret to form a ministry, keen not to lose so staunch a supporter of Hanover. Walpole, when asked, said Carteret should work with Pelham, thus, thwarting his old enemy! Within four days Carteret gave up the unequal struggle.

Pelham returned to power but a difficult relationship with the King was unavoidable. He remodelled his cabinet making it a ‘broad bottom’ coalition, with the Tories being given two seats. Some ‘new Whigs’ (i.e. those left out in 1742) were also added, including the Duke of Bedford, as Lord of the Admiralty on 27 December 1744. He was made a privy councillor and, on 28 May 1745, Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire. At the same time, his father-in-law Earl Gower left the Tories to support the Pelhams.