On This Day

28 January 1770

The Duke of Grafton resigns as Prime Minister

Grafton’s Whig government did not so much fall as fall apart. Attacked by his predecessor, the Earl of Chatham, and pilloried in the press, Grafton struggled to get legislation through parliament. In early January 1770 Lord Camden the Lord Chancellor attacked his colleagues and was sacked. The Marquess of Granby resigned in support of Camden. Three days later Charles Yorke who had reluctantly agreed to become Lord Chancellor committed suicide. This proved to be the last straw for Grafton who resigned the following week and was succeeded by the Tory Lord North.