Robert Walpole

The Rt. Hon. Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, KG, GCB, (26 August 1676–18 March 1745), nickname "Cock Robin," was a British Whig statesman who is generally regarded as having been the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. The position of Prime Minister had no official recognition in law, but Walpole is nevertheless acknowledged as having held the de facto office due to the extent of his influence in the Cabinet.

Decline

The year 1737 was also marked by the death of Walpole's close friend, Queen Caroline. Her death, however, did not end Walpole's personal influence with George II, who had grown loyal to the Prime Minister during the preceding years. Still, Walpole's domination of government continued to decline. Walpole's opponents acquired a vocal leader in the Prince of Wales, who was estranged from his father, the King. Several young politicians, including William Pitt the Elder and George Grenville, formed a faction known as the "Patriot Boys" and joined the Prince of Wales in opposition.

Related Topics:
Prince of Wales - William Pitt the Elder - George Grenville

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Walpole's failure to maintain a policy of avoiding military conflict eventually led to his fall from power. Under the Treaty of Seville (1729), Great Britain agreed not to trade with the Spanish colonies in North America; Spain claimed the right to board and search British vessels to ensure compliance. Disputes, however, broke out over trade with the West Indies. Walpole attempted to prevent war, but was opposed by the King, the House of Commons, and by a faction in his own Cabinet. In 1739, Walpole abandoned all efforts to stop the conflict, and commenced the War of Jenkins' Ear (so called because Robert Jenkins, an English mariner, claimed that a Spaniard inspecting his vessel had severed his ear).

Related Topics:
Treaty of Seville - 1729 - West Indies - 1739 - War of Jenkins' Ear - Robert Jenkins

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Walpole's influence continued to dramatically decline even after the war began. In the 1741 general election his supporters secured an increase in votes in constituencies that were decided by mass electorates, but failed to win in many pocket boroughs (constituencies subject to the informal but strong influence of patrons). In general the government made gains in England and Wales but this was not enough to overturn the reverses of the 1734 election and further losses in Cornwall where many constituencies were obedient to the will of the Prince of Wales (who was also Duke of Cornwall); these constituencies returned Members of Parliament hostile to the Prime Minister. Similarly, the influence of the Duke of Argyll secured the election of members opposed to Walpole in some parts of Scotland. Walpole's new majority was difficult to determine because of the uncertain loyalties of many new members, but contemporaries and historians estimated it as low as fourteen to eighteen.

Related Topics:
1741 general election - Pocket boroughs - England - Wales - 1734 election - Cornwall - Duke of Cornwall - Duke of Argyll - Scotland

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In the new Parliament, many Whigs thought the ageing Prime Minister incapable of leading the military campaign. Moreover, his majority was not as strong as it used to be; his detractors approximately as numerous as his supporters. In 1742, when the House of Commons was prepared to determine the validity of an allegedly rigged by-election in Chippenham, Walpole and others agreed to treat the issue as a Motion of No Confidence. As Walpole was defeated on the vote, he agreed to resign from the Government. As part of his resignation the King agreed to elevate him to the House of Lords as the Earl of Orford and this occurred on February 6 1742. Five days later he formally relinquished the seals of office.

Related Topics:
1742 - By-election - Chippenham - Motion of No Confidence - House of Lords - Earl of Orford - February 6

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