1885 - 1886

Sir Michael Hicks-Beach (1837-1916) entered Parliament in 1864 as a Conservative, though without political ambitions. But his competence and eye for detail ensured a rapid progress through a number of ministerial offices, becoming colonial Secretary in 1878. After the Conservatives' defeat at the polls in 1880 and the resignation of Disraeli, Hicks Beach and Lord Randolph Churchill undermined the authority in the Commons of Stafford Northcote; in the Conservative administration of 1885 Hicks-Beach replaced Northcote and was appointed chancellor of the exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons. But Hicks-Beach was not reappointed after the election victory of 1886, taking a more junior post for a time until he resigned, due to failing eyesight, in 1887. Treatment recovered his sight, and he went on to take office in subsequent Conservative administrations, including the chancellorship in 1895-1902.

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