Editing Joseph Chamberlain (section)

====Liberal split====
On 17 December, [[Herbert Gladstone]] [[Hawarden Kite|revealed]] that his father, needing Nationalist support, was prepared to implement Home Rule. At first, Chamberlain was reluctant to anger his Radical followers by joining forces with the anti-Home Rule Whigs and Conservatives. While saying little about the topic publicly, Chamberlain privately damned Gladstone and Home Rule to colleagues, believing that maintaining the Conservatives in power for a further year would make the Irish question easier to settle.

Chamberlain declined Gladstone's offer of the office of [[First Lord of the Admiralty]]; Gladstone in turn rejected Chamberlain's request for the [[Colonial Office]] and eventually appointed him [[President of the Local Government Board]]. Their personal relationship worsened after a dispute over the amount to be paid to Collings, Chamberlain's [[Parliamentary Secretary]], although Chamberlain still hoped that he could alter or block Gladstone's Home Rule proposal in Cabinet and renew his scheme for National Councils, but the topic was never discussed.

On 13 March 1886, Gladstone's proposals for Ireland were revealed. Chamberlain argued that the details of the accompanying Land Purchase Bill should be made known in order for a fair judgment on Home Rule. When Gladstone stated his intention to give Ireland a separate Parliament with full powers to deal with Irish affairs, Chamberlain resolved to resign and wrote to inform Gladstone of his decision two days later. In the meantime, Chamberlain consulted with [[Arthur Balfour]] over the possibility of concerted action with the Conservatives and contemplated similar co-operation with the Whigs. His resignation was made public on 27 March 1886.