This detailed study examines the policies, motives, and strategies of British politicians in Parliament during the mid-Victorian period, focusing upon the critical years between 1855 and 1859. Palmerston's ascendancy following the Crimean War, the impact of the 1857 general election, reaction to the Indian Mutiny, the Orsini crisis, Derby's second ministry from 1858 to 1859, and the issues of Italy and reform are reappraised in light of parliamentary circumstances.

This produces a new understanding of the complex party politics of the 1850s. It was not disillusionment with the principle of party government, but rather the pursuit of that principle in such divergent ways that created confusion. Conservative strategy in opposition and office,and a surfeit of leadership amongst Peelites, Whigs, Liberals, and Radicals spurred antagonistic ambitions. Not until 1859 did a relatively stable alignment of party connection reemerge, which, in turn, set the scene for much of the parliamentary politics of the later Victorian period. This study, based upon a large number of manuscript sources, examines the manner in which that alignment of political opinion took shape.