Elected as Conservative MP for Hertford in 1874. Served as President of the Local Government Board (1885-1886), Secretary for Scotland with seat in Cabinet (1886-1887), Chief Secretary for Ireland (1887-1891), and Leader of the House of Commons during some of Lord Salisbury's governments. He was leader of the Opposition (1892-1895), and Prime Minister (1902-1905). He served in the National Government as First Lord of the Admiralty (1915-1916), taking over from Winston Churchill, and was Foreign Secretary (1916-1919), and President of the Council (1919-1922 and 1925-1929).