32 AWARDED FOR VALOUR
plans for offensive operations in the Black Sea. After one of his customary
exhibitions of political pouting, Russell resumed his pressure for the change
and was rewarded in June with formal severing of the two offices.^39 It was
only a cosmetic victory, as the control that Newcastle had over the existing
structure was not altered. The war effort still drew strong criticism and
ultimately caused the fall of the Aberdeen government.
The government’s situation deteriorated rapidly in January; Newcastle’s
proposal to form a permanent joint civil/military board similar to the Admir-
alty was rejected as too little, too late. John Arthur Roebuck, a pugnacious
radical MP, announced his intention to call for a committee to inquire as to
the condition of the Army before Sevastopol.^40
Palmerston had the last word as Aberdeen’s government died messily in
the House of Commons, in a short speech that fully anticipated defeat in the
Roebuck division. He defended coalition government, but more to support
the one he expected to form than to defend the one in which he sat. A
considerable number of Liberals did not take part in the vote, unwilling to
condemn their colleagues, yet unable to support them. Aberdeen’s coalition
died with a whimper, losing the division 305 to 148 on 29 January 1855.^41
Palmerston did not automatically receive an invitation to form a new
ministry. Despite his partial rehabilitation, the Queen was still suspicious of
him.^42 Victoria instead turned to Lord Derby on 31 January. The Tory leader
claimed that despite a solid backing of 280 MPs he could not appease the
public without ‘other combinations’ – that is to say, Peelites and Whigs.
Chief on his list was Lord Palmerston, as according to Derby ‘the whole
country cried out for him.’ Palmerston played his hand close to his chest in
the turmoil of February, as he knew that Derby had virtually no chance of
forming a government, but to refuse office would appear too self-serving.
He therefore accepted Derby’s invitation to join the new cabinet and then
waited for Derby to fail.^43
Upon Derby’s failure the Queen turned to Russell. This act was simply a
formality. It was well-known to everyone except Lord John that he had no
hope of forming a government. In order to negate his potential opposition
to a ministry that he did not head, it was necessary to demonstrate this fact
to him. Once he had tried and failed to form a government, the torch was
passed to Palmerston.^44
Palmerston largely reconstituted the coalition Aberdeen had formed in
1852, with the exceptions of Newcastle, Russell, and Aberdeen himself. He
chose Lord Panmure to take the War Office, an appointment that raised some
protest. Palmerston’s only stated concern was whether or not Panmure’s
gout would interfere with his ability to dispatch the duties of the office.^45
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