Best British PM (1860-1914)

Who was the best British PM (1860-1914)

  • William Ewart Gladstone

    Votes: 2 10.0%
  • Benjamin Disraeli

    Votes: 9 45.0%
  • Herbert Asquith

    Votes: 5 25.0%
  • Lord Salisbury

    Votes: 1 5.0%
  • Lord Palmerston

    Votes: 2 10.0%
  • Henry Campbell Bannerman

    Votes: 1 5.0%

  • Total voters
    20

Thomas1195

Banned
I think before 1914, it must be Asquith, who introduced far more reforms than his predecessors (of course we cannot see how Campbell Bannerman would perform if he was healthier and lived longer).

However, this is because Asquith belonged to a faction that only emerged in the 20th century with the evolution of Liberalism (social liberals).
 
I mean, like with all things how you define ''best'' is complicated...

I voted for Lord Salisbury, partly because of his expert foreign policy but also because people often forget his administrations introduced some important social reforms that had far reaching consequences. Without the Cross Act you can't have any slum clearance in the period or properly tackle urban sanitation problems. He was reasonably capable in keeping the lid on the Home Rule tensions in Ireland, and his second ministry played a big role in reshaping primary education in Britain. And whilst he didn't himself remake modern popular conservatism, he didn't stand in its way and, in fact, did help popularise it.

Its a little bit of a limited list though. What happened to Arthur Balfour for example? Why did Russell, Derby, and Rosebury not make the cut either?
 

Thomas1195

Banned
Its a little bit of a limited list though. What happened to Arthur Balfour for example? Why did Russell, Derby, and Rosebury not make the cut either?
Well, these were not really good PMs IMO, with Balfour being the best among them for his Education Act in 1902. Rosebery was mediocre and his only contribution was the Bryce commission the formed the basis of the Education Acts in 1899 and 1902 (actually, the presence of a Salisbury ministry delayed these two Acts). Russell, the only thing I rememeber about him is his handling of Irish famine. Derby, I did not know much about him.
 
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