18 April 1880
General election

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With industry and agriculture both in depression (see Great Depression and Agricultural depression) and the Land War disrupting Ireland, the election comes at a bad time for the Conservative government. The newly formed Farmers' Alliance campaigns for the Liberals, on a promise that the latter will reform property law to the benefit of tenants. Gladstone has used his Midlothian campaign to criticise the government's conduct of the Afghan and Zulu wars and to accuse Disraeli of being personally responsible.

The Liberals win handsomely, and Gladstone becomes prime minister for the second time. He appoints William Forster as chief secretary for Ireland. Joseph Chamberlain becomes president of the Board of Trade. Chamberlain is a radical Liberal, a moderniser who believes passionately in elected local government and wants to move the Liberal Party away from its aristocratic Whig roots. He commands a strong following within the party.

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