In accordance with precedent Henry Goulburn didn't resign as Prime Minister, but stayed in office until such time as his Conservative government was defeated on a motion of no confidence.
Parliament reassembled on 27 June 1848. The next day Lord John Russell, the leader of the Liberal Party, tabled a motion of no confidence in the government. This was to be debated in the House of Commons on 4 and 5 July. Russell was a member of the House of Commons.
In order to win a majority the Liberals would need the votes of the Grahamites (free trade liberal Conservatives) or the Repeal Association. In order to secure of the former Russell promised the repeal of the Corn Laws and the removal of all other tariff barriers, and cabinet posts for the three most prominent Grahamites: Sir James Graham, Sidney Herbert and Lord Aberdeen. This was enough to secure their support.
The Repeal Association of Irish MPs led by Daniel O'Connell wanted the repeal of the Act of Union and the restoration of the Irish Parliament of 1782-1800. Russell made favourable noises about repeal, which was enough to satisfy O'Connell and most of his colleagues.
In the no confidence debate Russell promised that a Liberal government would appoint a royal commission on the franchise.
In the vote at the end of the debate on 5 July, the no confidence motion was passed by 353 votes to 260. The Commonweal, Chartist and Irish Confederate MPs abstained to show their independence of the Conservatives and Liberals. 8 Repeal Association MPs also abstained because they didn't trust Russell to repeal the Act of Union. As the Grahamites walked through the opposition lobby there were shouts of "traitors" from the government benches.
Henry Goulburn resigned the next day and Lord John Russell became Prime Minister.
Parliament reassembled on 27 June 1848. The next day Lord John Russell, the leader of the Liberal Party, tabled a motion of no confidence in the government. This was to be debated in the House of Commons on 4 and 5 July. Russell was a member of the House of Commons.
In order to win a majority the Liberals would need the votes of the Grahamites (free trade liberal Conservatives) or the Repeal Association. In order to secure of the former Russell promised the repeal of the Corn Laws and the removal of all other tariff barriers, and cabinet posts for the three most prominent Grahamites: Sir James Graham, Sidney Herbert and Lord Aberdeen. This was enough to secure their support.
The Repeal Association of Irish MPs led by Daniel O'Connell wanted the repeal of the Act of Union and the restoration of the Irish Parliament of 1782-1800. Russell made favourable noises about repeal, which was enough to satisfy O'Connell and most of his colleagues.
In the no confidence debate Russell promised that a Liberal government would appoint a royal commission on the franchise.
In the vote at the end of the debate on 5 July, the no confidence motion was passed by 353 votes to 260. The Commonweal, Chartist and Irish Confederate MPs abstained to show their independence of the Conservatives and Liberals. 8 Repeal Association MPs also abstained because they didn't trust Russell to repeal the Act of Union. As the Grahamites walked through the opposition lobby there were shouts of "traitors" from the government benches.
Henry Goulburn resigned the next day and Lord John Russell became Prime Minister.
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