Arthur Balfour

Balfour's government passed the Education Act, which established local education authorities and created a system of secondary education. The act was controversial, particularly among Nonconformists who opposed funding for Church schools.

Arthur Balfour became Prime Minister after the resignation of his uncle, Lord Salisbury. His premiership focused on education reform, tariff reform, and military reorganization. He led the Conservative Party until 1905.

Balfour resigned as Prime Minister after internal party divisions over tariff reform and a series of by-election defeats. He was succeeded by Henry Campbell-Bannerman, leading to a Liberal landslide in the 1906 general election.

Balfour served as Foreign Secretary in David Lloyd George's coalition government. He oversaw British foreign policy during the latter part of World War I, including the Balfour Declaration and the Sykes-Picot Agreement.

As Foreign Secretary, Arthur Balfour issued the Balfour Declaration, a letter to Lord Rothschild stating British support for a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine. The declaration had lasting impact on the Middle East.