MR ASQUITH'S RESIGNATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 86, 2 April 1914, Page 4

MR ASQUITH'S RESIGNATION.

With the single exception of Lord Palmerston, no statesman since the days of Pitt (says the Westminster Gazette) has been Prime Minister and Leader of the House of Commons for such a long period as has Mr Asquith. Mr Gladstone’s longest tenure of the dual office lasted just"over five years; Disraeli’s was longer, but he went to the House of Lords after three sessions. Lord John Russell was Prime Minister and Leader of the House from 1846 to 1852—a period short of Mr Asquith’s record by a few months. Mr Balfour, of course, was Leader of the House for over ten years, from 1895 to 1905. but he only became Prime Minister in 1902. Lord Palmerston’s record from 1859 to 1865 in this dual capacity was six years and three months. The Gazette remarks that “the • Liberals are more than hopeful that Mr Asquith will soon beat this”; but the unexpected has now happened and Mr Asquith’s resignation. though it may be regarded as merely a. formality, leaves Lord Palmerston’s record still unbroken.