Robert Peel In 1830 the Whigs finally returned to power and Peel became a member of the Opposition for the first time. After successive election defeats, leadership of the Conservative Party gradually passed from Wellington to Peel, and when King William IV asked Wellington to become Prime Minister in November 1834, he declined and Peel was selected instead, with Wellington serving as caretaker until Peel took office. Peel then issued the Tamworth Manifesto (December 1834), laying down the principles upon which the modern British Conservative Party is based. His first ministry was a minority government, dependent on Whig support and with Peel
Sir Robert Peel, 1st Baronet one MP of the proprietor's choosing and one representing other local interests). Peel married as his first wife Ellen Yates (the daughter of his partner) on 8 July 1783. They had eleven children, including: Peel had high hopes for his children, especially his eldest son, Robert, who he would make repeat the substance of each Sunday's sermon after mass. Peel accepted that he would not mingle with high society, but intended to prepare his son to be able to. After the death of his first wife, Peel married Susanna Clerke (sister of Sir William Clerke) on 18 October 1805. The