The King was again
The was in trouble and Fox proposed nationalizing it, thus providing the government with a new source of appointments so they could reward and maintain support. The was introduced and passed in the Commons but the King remained deeply opposed. He informed the that he would regard any peer who voted for the bill as his enemy. The Bill was defeated on , and the King immediately dismissed the coalition and invited Pitt to form a government. The King felt that the situation proved that he still had the power to appoint Prime Ministers without having to rely on any parliamentary group.
An important factor in Pitt’s ability to survive parliament was that he demonstrated extraordinary self-confidence and was not afraid to refuse a cabinet post. This was seen as Pitt was offered a minor post in the 3 month Rockingham administration as Vice-Treasurer of Ireland but refused to accept the position, which he deemed too subordinate for him.
The relationship that William Pitt had with King George III was a beneficial factor in Pitt gaining the ministerial position. George III chose Pitt to form a government because he appreciated Pitt’s gifts and saw how he had already in his brief created a strong impression. Another and possibly more important reason why the King chose Pitt was that Pitt was not from the King’s hated group of Whig politicians. Pitt and George III did have a mutual respect and Pitt did both recognize and respect the constitutional position of the sovereign. Throughout Pitt's ministry, George ardently supported many of his political aims. George created new peerage dignities at the House of Lords at an inundated rate to allow Pitt to maintain a firm majority. After Pitt’s appointment the king was able to help Pitt by postponing Parliament for 3 months after the appointment of Pitt in 1784. The commons coalition majority would have possibly immediately tried to defeat Pitt and force his resignation but the King trusted Pitt’s self-confidence. Pitt was taking office as the ‘King’s minister and the knowledge that Pitt had the King’s support meant that Pitt was able to stay in Parliament and sustain the crisis years.
The factor however that was pivotal to the success of Pitt was his refusal to resign as Prime Minister. Pitt was initially subject to some heavy defeats in the Commons and was defeated on a in January which was an embarrassment to Pitt’s ‘mince pie’ administration. Pitt however undermined the coalition and defiantly remained in office and spent the first month as PM fending off attacks in parliament from Fox, suffering a number of defeats in the process. Over time however Pitt watched the Coalition's majority shrink as some Members of Parliament left the Opposition to join his side. Eventually Pitt pursued independent members to support his administration. Pitt had realized that no Hanoverian government had lost an election and that parliament would be dissolved and general elections held at the king’s choosing which would stand in his favor as he would have sufficient time to chip away at the opposition’s majority. The delayed election meant that Pitt was able to tackle his opposition directly. Many members, fearing the loss of their seats at a general election, went over to Pitt's side during February and March, doubtless in the hope that he would gain a majority in the existing house sufficient to make dissolution unnecessary.
Pitt gained the support of independent members and supporters of Lord North and in March 1784 although Pitt never gained a majority, his minority was into the single figures. Also at this time the mood and atmosphere of parliament was against Fox. This conclusively meant that the King chose the general elections to occur in March 1784 with Pitt having every prospect of success. By March 8 the majority against him was one vote, and on March 25 Parliament was dissolved. Pitt's timing was perfect and 160 of Fox's supporters were defeated at the polls.
No 18th-century government lost a general election, and Pitt's success in 1784 was never in doubt. The “influence of the Crown” ensured that the new House of Commons was chosen by the Treasury. Patronage and corruption gave Pitt a majority, and secret service money paid election bills. Although public opinion aided Pitt in the open constituencies, it is nevertheless more truthful to say that he was ‘the dispenser of royal patronage’ than that he was “the choice of the people”.
Pitt now had a majority in the and was able to persuade parliament to pass a series of measures including the that established dual control of the .
Pitt gained great popularity with the public at large as "Honest Billy" who was seen as a refreshing change from the dishonesty, corruption and lack of principles widely associated with both Fox and North. The country was pleased to have a government led by someone ‘unconnected with any party whatsoever’ Pitt was able to raise support by rallying both conservative and reformist support, many whom were unhappy with the coalition. In February 1784 Pitt was made a Freeman of the City of London. As he returned from the ceremony his carriage was attacked by his opponents. This outrage caused much resentment against the opposition politicians and Fox's majority sank to twelve on 1 March. The response of opinion in the country of showed strong opposition to the coalition and support for Pitt.
Pitt ability to improve the government’s efficiency quickly helped him to secure his prime ministerial position. Pitt was able to build up a reputation as an effective financial reformer. Early into his period in office Pitt introduced taxes on luxury goods in order to help reduce the national debt. Pitt began to reform his administration by trying to clamp down on smuggling and
Pitt made the important choice to not take on a title and therefore stay in the commons. This meant that Pitt would be able to help reforms pass through the commons as he had the influence of George III in the House of Lords.
The success of Pitt ministry was helped by the popularity Pitt enjoyed outside of the commons and his position was able to be secured by his rapid movement of reforms of his administrations. The success of Pitt was vitally based on the support of the King. George III influence in the House of Lords helped Pitt to discredit his opposition and throughout Pitt’s period in office to push many bills through. However another important factor in the endurance of the Pitt administration was the tenacity of the man himself. Pitt in the midst of great political pressure remained patient and confident in his own ability. Pitt’s confidence and belief in himself, which enabled him to refuse a position in Rockingham’s administration and form a government, was beneficial to Pitt lasting through the political crisis years of 1782-84.
