Editing Robert Peel (section)

==Leader of the Opposition: 1835–1841==
[[File:Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt by John Linnell.jpg|thumb|''[[Portrait of Sir Robert Peel]]'' by [[John Linnell (painter)|John Linnell]], 1838]]
Peel's party was bolstered by the adherence of a number of dissident Whigs associated with the [[Derby Dilly]]. These self-described 'moderate Whigs' were led by former cabinet ministers [[Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby]], and [[Sir James Graham, 2nd Baronet]].

In May 1839, Peel was offered another chance to form a government, this time by the new monarch, [[Queen Victoria]].<ref>Clark, ''Peel and the Conservatives: A Study in Party Politics 1832–1841'', 417–18; Ramsay, ''Sir Robert Peel'', 206.</ref> However, this too would have been a minority government, and Peel felt he needed a further sign of confidence from his Queen. Lord Melbourne had been Victoria's confidant since her accession in 1837, and many of the higher posts in Victoria's household were held by the wives and female relatives of Whigs;<ref>Clark, ''Peel and the Conservatives: A Study in Party Politics 1832–1841'', 416–17; Ramsay, ''Sir Robert Peel'', 206–07.</ref> there was some feeling that Victoria had allowed herself to be too closely associated with the Whig party. Peel, therefore, asked that some of this entourage be dismissed and replaced with their Conservative counterparts, provoking the so-called [[Bedchamber Crisis]].<ref>Ramsay, ''Sir Robert Peel'', 207–208; Read, ''Peel and the Victorians'', 89.</ref> Victoria refused to change her household, and despite pleadings from the Duke of Wellington, relied on assurances of support from Whig leaders. Peel refused to form a government, and the Whigs returned to power.<ref>Adelman, ''Peel and the Conservative Party: 1830–1850'', 23; Clark, ''Peel and the Conservatives: A Study in Party Politics 1832–1841'', 419–26; 448; Ramsay, ''Sir Robert Peel'', 208–09; Read, ''Peel and the Victorians'', 89–91.</ref>