Editing Kingdom of Great Britain (section)

=====Walpole's reputation=====
[[File:The Stature of a Great Man or the English Colossus cph.3b03411.jpg|thumb|1740 political cartoon depicting a towering Walpole as the [[Colossus of Rhodes]]]]

Historians hold Walpole's record in high regard, though there has been a recent tendency to share credit more widely among his allies. [[W. A. Speck]] wrote that Walpole's uninterrupted run of 20 years as Prime Minister

{{Blockquote|is rightly regarded as one of the major feats of British political history...&nbsp;Explanations are usually offered in terms of his expert handling of the political system after 1720, [and] his unique blending of the surviving powers of the crown with the increasing influence of the Commons.{{Sfn|Speck|1977|page=203}}
}}

He was a [[Whigs (British political party)|Whig]] from the gentry class, who first arrived in Parliament in 1701, and held many senior positions. He was a country squire and looked to country gentlemen for his political base. Historian Frank O'Gorman said his leadership in Parliament reflected his "reasonable and persuasive oratory, his ability to move both the emotions as well as the minds of men, and, above all, his extraordinary self-confidence."{{Sfn|O'Gorman|1997|page=71}} [[Julian Hoppit]] has said Walpole's policies sought moderation: he worked for peace, lower taxes, growing exports, and allowed a little more tolerance for Protestant Dissenters. He avoided controversy and high-intensity disputes, as his middle way attracted moderates from both the Whig and Tory camps.{{Sfn|Hoppit|2000|page=410}} H.T. Dickinson summed up his historical role:
{{Blockquote
| Walpole was one of the greatest politicians in British history. He played a significant role in sustaining the Whig party, safeguarding the Hanoverian succession, and defending the principles of the [[Glorious Revolution]] (1688)&nbsp;... He established a stable political supremacy for the Whig party and taught succeeding ministers how best to establish an effective working relationship between Crown and Parliament.<ref>{{Citation |last=Dickinson |first=H. P. |title=Walpole, Sir Robert |date=2003 |work=Readers Guide to British History |volume=2 |issue=1338 |editor-last=Loades |editor-first=David |editor-link=David Loades}}</ref>
}}