the ministry is chiefly remembered for gladstone's first attempt to introduce the home rule bill for ireland. the bill was defeated by a majority of 30 (93 liberal mp's having voted against it) on 8 june and on 26 june parliament was dissolved. the issue split the liberal party. lord hartington, who had refused to serve under gladstone because of his irish policies, became leader of the liberal unionists. he was joined by joseph chamberlain, who had resigned over home rule in april.