William Pitt
Pitt’s consolidation of power
How did the 1784 election consolidate William Pitt’s power?
In December 1783, George III ended the Fox-North coalition, and appointed William Pitt as Prime Minister. However Pitt had little support in the House of Commons, calculations suggests he could rely on 149 votes and was opposed by Fox and North, numbering about 230 in total.
In order to reduce power of the opposition Pitt offered his allies, including Fox, to the cabinet. Government was immediately defensive and in January 1784 was defeated on a motion of no confidence. However Pitt refused to resign, despite the defeat, he retained support of the King and support of the House of Lords. This led to creating influences on the public and some members to even switch their support to Pitt. Therefore, having the support from the King and Lords were significant and gradually increased the consolidation of William Pitt’s power.
Raising support in the House of Commons for the election in 1784 also consolidated William Pitt’s power, as it portrayed to the other MP’s his ability who may go on and support him as a non partisan, and sow seeds of division and doubt within the coalition. The election could then be held in more favourite circumstances which consolidate Pitt’s power. Similarly, raising support outside the Commons for the election in 1784 strengthened Pitt’s power as he was gaining support from the public, increasing his votes to power.
Also, since the King appointed Pitt, they had a polite relationship, this implies that the support from outside and inside the House of Commons and from the King, showed that he had a good chance on winning the election, and consolidated his overall power.
How did the 1784 election consolidate William Pitt’s power?
In December 1783, George III ended the Fox-North coalition, and appointed William Pitt as Prime Minister. However Pitt had little support in the House of Commons, calculations suggests he could rely on 149 votes and was opposed by Fox and North, numbering about 230 in total.
In order to reduce power of the opposition Pitt offered his allies, including Fox, to the cabinet. Government was immediately defensive and in January 1784 was defeated on a motion of no confidence. However Pitt refused to resign, despite the defeat, he retained support of the King and support of the House of Lords. This led to creating influences on the public and some members to even switch their support to Pitt. Therefore, having the support from the King and Lords were significant and gradually increased the consolidation of William Pitt’s power.
Raising support in the House of Commons for the election in 1784 also consolidated William Pitt’s power, as it portrayed to the other MP’s his ability who may go on and support him as a non partisan, and sow seeds of division and doubt within the coalition. The election could then be held in more favourite circumstances which consolidate Pitt’s power. Similarly, raising support outside the Commons for the election in 1784 strengthened Pitt’s power as he was gaining support from the public, increasing his votes to power.
Also, since the King appointed Pitt, they had a polite relationship, this implies that the support from outside and inside the House of Commons and from the King, showed that he had a good chance on winning the election, and consolidated his overall power.