the liberal party under the leadership of william ewart gladstone came to power in the united kingdom in february 1886 after they, with the support of the irish nationalists, defeated the conservative government of lord salisbury. the ministry was to become one of the most short-lived in british history. gladstone, aged 76, became prime minister of the united kingdom for the third time. sir william vernon harcourt became chancellor of the exchequer, hugh childers home secretary and future prime minister the earl of rosebery foreign secretary. lord selborne and sir henry james both rejected the lord chancellorship, a post, which, however, was accepted by sir farrer herschell, who was ennobled as baron herschell. former foreign secretary lord granville became secretary of state for the colonies, while another political veteran, lord kimberley, resumed the post of secretary of state for india which he had held from 1882 to 1885. the influential joseph chamberlain was appointed president of the local government board while future party leader and prime minister henry campbell-bannerman was made secretary of state for war. the government also saw john morley hold his first ministerial post as chief secretary for ireland.