Robert Walpole (1721-1742)

 

         Sir Robert Walpole was a British statesman who served as the first Prime Minister of Great Britain. His tenure lasted for twenty years making him the longest serving Prime Minister in British history. A Whig politician, he came from a politically active family. he first came into politics in 1701 as a member of the parliament. Soon, he jumped up the ladder and took up many senior positions. Sir Robert Walpole has a long political career path and many remarkable major works .

 

        As it is already mentioned , Walpole’s political career was too long and marked by rapid progress. Walpole succeeded to the family estate after the death of his father . In 1701, he began his political career and became a member of the parliament for Castle Rising. In 1702, he left Castle Rising to represent King’s Lynn. Then He became a member of the Admiralty board and served as the Treasurer of the Navy from 1710 to 1711.As Walpole remained a loyal Whig politician he faced many problems during The rise of the Tories in the 1710 general election and he was imprisoned for six months. Yet, The period of George I’s accession marked the end of Tories rule. Therefore, the Whig government came to power. Under the Whig government, Walpole was appointed as the Privy Councillor and Paymaster of the Forces. in 1720, He became a dominant figure in the House of Commons and was extremely influential. Walpole’s influence led to the abandonment of the Peerage Bill. In 1721, he was appointed First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons. His appointment coincided with his term as the Prime Minister. Under his premiership, the government tried to overcome the financial crises following South Sea Bubble collapse. He led the government towards financial prosperity with his compensation schemes that helped lessen the sufferers. Walpole’s supremacy and power bothered people both within the party as well as those in opposition. Although that, He continued with his effort to secure a bright and prosperous future for Britain through his leading works. for instance, He helped establish peace by signing peace treatises, bettered Britain financial situation by lowering taxes, prevented major financial crux by reinstating government funds after South Sea Bubble collapse, pioneered protectionist policies thus enabling import and export and treaded the mid path by allowing tolerance for Protestant Dissenters. What gave him the merit over other politicians of his day was his middle route. He avoided high-intensity disputes by simply taking the mid path thus attracting moderates from both the Whig and the Tories.

 

      Walpole’s most remarkable contribution came as the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1721 to 1742. He was the first and till date the longest serving Prime Minister of the country. His two decades long tenure witnessed Britain’s rise and shine. Walpole excelled at establishing an effective working relationship between the Crown and the Parliament which stood as a major example for future prime ministers to follow.