On This Day
23 April 1880
William Gladstone becomes Prime Minister for the second time
After the Liberal victory in the general election of March-April 1880, it was Queen Victoria’s preference that nominal party leader Lord Hartington should become prime minister but Hartington understood that a government could not be formed adequately except under the leadership of William Gladstone. He advised the Queen to send for Gladstone and resigned as party leader in Gladstone’s favour. On the evening of 23rd April 1880 Gladstone went to Windsor and kissed hands as Prime Minister thus inaugurating his second administration.