Lord Palmerston (Political Portraits)

The book tracks progression of Lord Palmerston's career which was slow, by the age of 44 it appeared he was destined to remain a minor Tory politician, especially in relation to the time as those who rose to greatness usually did so by an early stage. In his early political career, it was agreed he was very hard working and efficient although even some of his friends felt he lacked talent, opinions and the ability to think and talk spontaneously without agonising preparation. He supported Catholic emancipation and the abolition of the slave trade at a time when it was not fashionable to do so, especially with the Tory party which he was associated with for the beginning part of his political career. Many of his actions and attitudes were unpopular with others. The author demonstrates how Palmerston was not exclusively a member or follower of one party or political orthodoxy but was a Tory who socialised in Whig circles, and eventually became a Whig, and whose views on Catholic Emancipation placed him firmly on the side of Canning against the Ultra-Tories. He became a member of the Cabinet in 1827. At one stage he belonged to the Foreign Office. He was an early convert to Laissez faire, free trade and liberalism and was associated with George Canning, a politician who influenced Palmerston a great deal, and his foreign policy was his interpretation of Canningite foreign policy. Although an advocate of Laissez-faire Palmerston, unlike the majority of politicians at the time, felt that Britain should interfere, by force if necessary, with the running of other countries if the need arose, as England had a duty to extend into Europe constitutional monarchy and liberalism. He was not taken seriously due to his liberal stance in Europe and denunciation of the Holy Alliance. He was also Secretary of the Home Office under Aberdeen where he carried out Penal reforms, improved public health and worked on factory legislation. Palmerston became Prime Minister for a fairly short period during the Crimean War.

The author points out how Palmerston's attitudes and approach to life changed. The young Palmerston took his academic life seriously even at Cambridge which was supposed to be a social rather than academic experience. Palmerston also learnt many languages as well as studying. He was very hard working and also cautious - He wouldn't accept the Chancellor of the Exchequer position offered to him when he had not long left Cambridge as he felt he was too inexperienced. However later in life social functions often came first he had a very active and extravagant social life. As he grew older his ideas on foreign policy became more radical yet his ideas on domestic policies and parliamentary reform were more conservative. However the author doesn't often try to explain cause and effect.

The book provides a useful insight into life of that time. Illustrating some differences between then and now eg only men were members of parliament. Also how government positions have changed - The position of Chancellor of Exchequer was not the same job as today but essentially an assistant to the Prime Minister. In the Reign of George III, the boundaries between parliamentary and royal prerogatives were still fluid.

Nepotism was still endemic throughout the British Civil service and promotion was often through seniority or being friends with the promoter. Aristocratic women did have a role in the social life of influential politicians, for example, admission to Almack's was carefully controlled by the Seven Lady Patronesses.

The book shows that there weren't set political parties, but the majority of politicians were Tories or Whigs with various smaller groups or coalitions based on a particular political doctrine. In fact, people crossed over from one political slant to another with Palmerston having both Whig and Tory connections and offered a place in Cabinet by both parties.

The book is more of a narrative of Palmerston's political life rather than an in depth examination. The book concentrates on the political actions rather than private life of Palmerston. The author goes into detail on the political situation of Europe in the mid 19th Century and the actions of Palmerston when he was in the Foreign Office. This provides a good basic but informative account of the political problems in European diplomacy at the time. Palmerston's background and social life when young are also talked about briefly. The author tells us of how Palmerston rose to be an important diplomatic figure and Prime Minister through the positions he was offered, took and would have liked to have been offered and his actions when he got there. The people and ideas that influenced him, his relationship to other politicians and political coalitions is also mentioned. The book does not often contain obvious interpretations or opinions of the author as she doesn't discuss the significance of events and go into more detail on his opinions and why he had these. Brief comments on Palmerston's impact are included along with the consequences and legacy of Palmerstons reign.

The author frequently comments on Palmerston's relationship to an event or person without explaining the details of that event or who the person was. To understand fully the reader needs a basic background knowledge of the key people and events of the time. Accounts given are detailed yet sometimes conclusions are lacking and main themes not discussed - it's full of information but not very analytical. The book can be very confusing at time it doesn't always give a date with an event or when someone resigned so events tend to merge into each other. Overall the book is a very informative account of Palmerston's political life and a good introduction to his life in general

Lord Palmerston (Political Portraits)

CHAMBERLAIN

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Basic narrative of Lord Palmerston (4/5 people found this helpful)

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