Editing John Russell, 1st Earl Russell (section)

=== In opposition: February–December 1852 ===
Following Russell's resignation, on 23 February 1852 the [[Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby|Earl of Derby]] accepted the Queen's invitation to form a government. The new Conservative ministry were a minority in the Commons due to the continuing rift with the [[Peelites]]. Derby called a [[1852 United Kingdom general election|general election]] for July but failed to secure a majority. After the election Derby's Conservatives held 292 out of the 662 seats in the Commons but were able to carry on in office due to divisions among the opposition. Negotiations over a Whig-Peelite coalition stalled over the question of who would lead it. Russell's authority and popularity within the Whigs had been dented by his falling out with Palmerston, who flatly refused to serve under him again. Moreover, he had alienated many in the Peelites and the Irish Brigade, who held the balance of power in the Commons, leaving them unwilling to support another Russell-led government. Palmerston proposed [[Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne|Lord Lansdowne]] as a compromise candidate. This was acceptable to Russell but Lansdowne was reluctant to take on the burdens of leading a government. The defeat of [[Benjamin Disraeli|Disraeli's]] [[Budget of the United Kingdom|Budget]] in December 1852 forced the issue. Derby's government resigned and the Queen sent for Lansdowne and the Peelite [[George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen|Lord Aberdeen]]. Lansdowne declined the Queen's invitation, pleading ill-health and so Aberdeen was tasked with forming a government.{{sfn|Prest|2009}}{{sfn|Scherer|1999|pp=195-199}}