Sir Robert Peel's first government succeeded the caretaker ministry of the Duke of Wellington. Peel was also Chancellor of the Exchequer while the Duke of Wellington served as Foreign Secretary. A young William Ewart Gladstone held office as a Junior Lord of the Treasury, his first governmental post in a ministerial career that would span for the next sixty years.

Quick Facts Date formed, Date dissolved ...

First Peel ministry
1834–1835
Sir Robert Peel
Date formed	10 December 1834 (1834-12-10)
Date dissolved	8 April 1835 (1835-04-08)
People and organisations
Monarch	William IV
Prime Minister	Sir Robert Peel
Status in legislature	Minority
Opposition leaders	Lord John Russell in the House of Commons The Viscount Melbourne in the House of Lords
History
Outgoing election	1835 general election
Predecessor	Wellington caretaker ministry
Successor	Second Melbourne ministry

Close

The Peel ministry was a minority government, and relied on Whig support. However, this the Whigs felt disinclined to give, joining with the Irish radicals to defeat the Conservatives at every turn. After a reign of only four months, the government felt obliged to resign, whereupon the Whig leader Lord Melbourne formed his second government.

Members of the Cabinet are indicated by bold face.

Notes

• C. Cook and B. Keith, British Historical Facts 1830–1900