in 1892, chamberlain became a member of parliament for worcestershire, as a member of his father's party, the liberal unionist party. the liberal unionists worked to keep ireland as a part of the united kingdom. chamberlain worked hard for his father, and in 1895 the prime minister gave him a job helping to run the royal navy. chamberlain became important very quickly. in 1903 the new prime minister, balfour gave him the job of controlling the post office. then in 1904 he became chancellor of the exchequer, responsible for the economy.