William Beresford

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William Beresford (17 April 17976 October 1883) was a British Conservative politician. Beresford and Charles Newdegate served as the Conservative whips in the House of Commons after the party split over the Corn Laws. His relations with Benjamin Disraeli were strained, with Beresford often taking his cue from Lord Stanley in the Lords instead of the nominal leader in the commons. As Chief Whip he managed the 1852 general election, widely noted for its venality (even by the standards of the day), and was censured by the house for "reckless indifference to systematic bribery." Disraeli took the opportunity to remove Beresford, who was briefly succeeded as whip by William Forbes Mackenzie. Mackenzie, however, lost his seat for much the same reason, and was in turn succeeded by Sir William Joliffe. The management of elections Disraeli transferred to his solicitor, Philip Rose.[1]

He was made a Privy Counsellor in 1852.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Blake, 322; 352.

[edit] References

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Alexander Ellice
John Charles Herries
Member of Parliament for Harwich
18411847
Succeeded by
John Bagshaw
Preceded by
Charles Round
Member of Parliament for North Essex
18471865
Succeeded by
Sir Thomas Western, Bt
Political offices
Preceded by
Robert Vernon Smith
Secretary at War
1852
Succeeded by
Sidney Herbert