Benjamin Disraeli

As Chancellor of the Exchequer, Disraeli steered the Reform Act 1867 through Parliament, which doubled the electorate by extending the vote to many urban working-class men. This 'leap in the dark' was a major political reform that reshaped British democracy.

Disraeli became Prime Minister for the first time on February 27, 1868, after the resignation of Lord Derby. His first ministry lasted only 10 months, but he passed the Reform Act 1867 during his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer, which expanded the electorate.

Disraeli arranged the purchase of a 44% stake in the Suez Canal Company from the Khedive of Egypt for

Disraeli's government passed the Royal Titles Act 1876, which added 'Empress of India' to Queen Victoria's titles. This formalized British imperial rule in India and was a symbolic assertion of British power, though it was criticized as flattery of the monarch.

Disraeli attended the Congress of Berlin in June-July 1878, representing Britain. He secured revisions to the Treaty of San Stefano, limiting Russian influence in the Balkans and gaining Cyprus for Britain. He returned claiming 'peace with honour', boosting his popularity.