Chapter Six - National and local politics, 1761–1768

Summary

National politics

The period 1761–1770 was a period of exceptional political instability with seven prime ministers, five in a single Parliament. Why was this, compared to Walpole who was prime minister for nearly twenty-two years? Lord North, the last of these prime ministers, however, was in power for twelve years. A successful prime minister in the eighteenth century needed to have the confidence of both King and Parliament. He was always vulnerable if contentious legislation was introduced. War and its cost put an additional stress on MPs’ loyalty. Patronage in normal times could keep a ministry steady but contentious issues caused the loose groups, such as the Rockingham Whigs or the Bedford Party, to act collectively. The prime minister had to achieve cabinet unity, difficult if it contained forceful ministers. Lastly he had to enjoy good health.

The accession of George III in 1760 changed the relationship between sovereign and prime minister. George was a young man, full of ambition and keen to promote his former tutor, John Stuart Earl of Bute, to be prime minister. Along with their many talents, the Duke of Devonshire shrewdly observed they were both very naïve and had little idea of how the constitution actually worked rather than how it ought to. The ‘King's Friends’ became a new destabilising influence in British politics.

In 1762 George III dismissed the Duke of Newcastle, unpopular because of the huge cost of the Seven Years War, allowing him to appoint Bute in his place. The King and Bute then carried out on their own account ‘a ridiculous and expensive war’, as the deposed Newcastle called it, against France and Spain.

This was ended by the Treaty of Paris signed on 10 February 1763. It had been negotiated by the Duke of Bedford, as ambassador to Paris (4 September 1762–June 1763). He was a key figure in the administrations of the period, as Lord Privy Seal (1761–1763) and Lord President of the Council (1763–1765).

Although Pitt said that the Duke of Bedford had made too generous concessions, Britain had gained Senegal in Africa and Grenada, St Vincent, Dominica and Tobago in the West Indies. In America, Britain gained Canada and all land to the east of the Mississippi river and Florida. Although Bedford had negotiated from a strong hand and he had to make concessions, exchanges etc, the result was a truly remarkable one.