What explains Gladstone's development from Tory to Peelite to Liberal?

... What explains Gladstone's development from Tory to Peelite to Liberal? It is an undisputed fact that William Ewart Gladstone was one of Britain's greatest ever politicians, if not her greatest, however, historians and others alike have struggled to understand some of his decisions and actions. We can still only puzzle over his behaviour throughout his life, and in politics, perhaps especially the way he moved across politics during his career. Starting in the Conservative party, he moved to join Peel and become a Peelite, and then he joined the Liberal party some years later. Historians have attempted to explain this great man's actions in many ways, and even though we have W.E.Gladstone's diaries, we still do not really know why he made certain decisions, the best example conceivably being his voting against the Maynooth Grant, and then joining with Peel anyway. So there is certainly a large amount about this man

want to read more? →