Robert Gascoyne-Cecil

Salisbury's government passed the Representation of the People Act 1884 and the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, which extended the vote to agricultural workers and redistributed parliamentary seats to reflect population changes. This nearly doubled the electorate.

Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, Lord Salisbury, became Prime Minister for the first time on June 23, 1885, after the fall of Gladstone's government. He led a minority Conservative government until January 1886, then returned to power after the Liberal split over Home Rule.

Salisbury's government oversaw British expansion in Africa during the Scramble for Africa. He supported the Berlin Conference (1884-1885) and pursued territorial claims in East and Southern Africa, including the establishment of protectorates in Bechuanaland and Nyasaland.

Salisbury's government faced the Fashoda Incident in 1898, a confrontation with France over control of the Upper Nile. British and French forces faced off at Fashoda in Sudan. Salisbury's firm diplomacy forced France to withdraw, securing British dominance in the Nile Valley.

Salisbury's government led Britain into the Second Boer War (1899-1902) against the South African Republic and Orange Free State. The war was costly and controversial, but resulted in British victory and the annexation of the Boer republics, leading to the Union of South Africa.