Liberal Government 1880–1885

Second Gladstone ministry
1880–1885
Gladstone (1879)
Date formed	23 April 1880 (1880-04-23)
Date dissolved	23 June 1885 (1885-06-23)
People and organisations
Head of state	Victoria
Head of government	William Ewart Gladstone
Total no. of ministers	118 appointments
Member party	Liberal Party
Status in legislature	Majority
Opposition party	Conservative Party
Opposition leaders	Sir Stafford Northcote in the House of Commons Lord Beaconsfield (1880–1881) Lord Salisbury (1881–1885) in the House of Lords
History
Election(s)	1880 general election
Legislature term(s)	22nd UK Parliament lost a vote of confidence
Predecessor	Second Disraeli ministry
Successor	First Salisbury ministry

After campaigning against the foreign policy of the Beaconsfield ministry, William Gladstone led the Liberal Party to victory in the 1880 general election. The nominal leader of the Party, Lord Hartington, resigned in Gladstone's favour and Gladstone was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for a second time by Queen Victoria. He pursued a policy of parliamentary reform, but his government became wildly unpopular after the murder of General Gordon in 1885. Gladstone was held responsible, and resigned, leaving the way free for the Conservatives under Lord Salisbury to form a government.

†Created Earl of Selborne in 1882.

Cabinet members are listed in bold face.