BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

a man out of tune with his times, lacking the necessary resources and
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tactical
skills with which to propel the party into the modern age.
Contrary to these impressions, the actions of Salisbury suggest
an individual
fully cognizant of the opportunities and limitations
which confronted him in extending the scope and direction, not only of
his office, but also of the party as a whole.
His talents as political
strategist were amply demonstrated in his successful
negotiation of the
Redistribution Act of 1885 and in his circumscribed tolerance of
Randolph Churchill, until the latter could be forced out of office in
December of 1885.
Likewise, Salisbury's willingness to recruit Liberal
Unionists as part of his coalition governments while, nevertheless,
limiting the avenues of expression open to their most outspoken leader,
Chamberlain, suggests the Prime Minister's strength in securing crucial
victories from a position in the House of Lords of seemingly limited
powers.
Thus, Salisbury's actions, rather than demonstrating the
inherent limitations of his rule,
indicate his flexibility and
willingness to accommodate where necessary in order to promote the
party and his position as leader.
Salisbury's detailed understanding
of the machinery of the Conservative party and his willingness to court
the Primrose League to serve as the principal carrier of public
messages to popular audiences suggests a man far more resourceful and
resilient than existing studies have
indicated.
Similarly, Salisbury's "Politics of Despair," rather than
serving as a method of disengagement proved an extremely effective
means of launching an appeal to the electors to forestall
further