William Clive Bridgeman, MP for Oswestry, Home Secretary, considered his options...
After Bonar-Law (retiring through ill health), who next?
Stanley Baldwin has just botched the war loan negotiations in the USA. Grandstanding at the dock to the detriment of the party and the country. Bridgemen had always looked upon him as a close ally, but had doubts now as to his suitability for the highest office.
Lord Curzon was able enough, but too full of himself to get on in cabinet. His poise and dignity suited the post of foreign and colonial secretary, but he was too stiff and superior to make an electable leader. It was unlikely that the people would support government from the house of Lords again and this made it easier for the King to say no.
EFL Wood (Edward Frederick Lindley Wood) had a good chance too he supposed, but didn't command enough support in the party to truly lead it. An able minister, but hardly a leader of men. It helped that he hadn't taken to the education brief with any enthusiasm.
Leo Amery and Philip Lloyd-Graeme were still too junior although showing great promise. Like Curzon, They would find it hard to draw enough support.
It would have to be Baldwin or...
Could I do it? Stanley Baldwin wouldn't lie down meekly and accept this, but he needed Bridgeman's support. Did he dislike Curzon enough to back his old friend Bill for the top job? He resolved to make a bid for the 'brass ring', as the Americans put it.
If he set Baldwin the Home Secretarial task of regulating the unions for better labour relations, that would keep him too busy to cause him any trouble in cabinet. Wood was itching for the Foreign and colonial post, but would be terrible at it. He would rather keep that atrocious prig Curzon in the post. Something he could use to gain his support perhaps. Hint that Baldwin looks set to succeed unless Curzon falls into line with a compromise candidate that will keep him on...maybe even make the Foreign Secretary's role more independent and powerful. After all, did he really want to be bogged down in domestic matters?
Curzon was crestfallen at first, but rather that see that insignificant man Baldwin direct his foreign policy for him, chose to write a personal recommendation to the King in favour of WC Bridgeman. Letters followed from EFL Wood, Leo Amery and Philip Lloyd-Graeme.
Baldwin refused to support him and felt confident that the King would ask him to lead the next government. He was wrong. Bridgeman had pulled the rug from under him and would see the Conservatives into the next election.