The Last of the Tories Political Selections from the Diaries of the Fourth Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne, 1839 - 1850

The diaries of the fourth duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne (17851851) provide an unrivalled insight into political events during the late-1830s and 1840s, from the perspective of a prominent Tory critic. At a time of Conservative revival under Sir Robert Peel, Newcastle used his position in the house of lords, his familys historic electoral influence, and personal contacts with politicians and writers, to defend the status quo Newcastles diaries provide invaluable detail on these activities, offering important testimony on the Conservative partys disruption in 18456 and subsequent attempts to rebuild the party following the Repeal of the Corn Laws They also illustrate Newcastles uncompromising views on personalities and events, and his hopes and fears for the country in its domestic and foreign policy This edition reproduces the political content of the diaries for the period 183950, as well as Newcastles published letters to the press, and is supplemented by a biographical appendix, an itinerary of Newcastles movements, and a comprehensive index Taken together, the volume demonstrates why Newcastle was described by Punch magazine in 1845 as The Last of the Tories