Mundella's short period in charge of the Board of Trade ended on 30 July 1886 and in the General Election in August the Conservatives regained power. From the Opposition frontbench Mundella once again took up the fight for increased technical education among working people. With others, he was instrumental in inaugurating the National Association for the Promotion of Technical Education and pressed ahead in the House demanding further reforms. Over the next few years the Association was a major force behind educational development, including secondary as well as technical education. Mundella also presided over the new National Education Association formed to promote a "free progressive system of national education, publicly controlled and free from sectarian interest" both by publicising and advancing the School Board system and by undermining denominational and private schools.