<p>He was the longest serving Conservative Party leader, and became prime minister three times in the 1850s and 1860s, yet Edward Smith-Stanley's time in the top job barely added up to four years in total. Why were all his premierships so brief?</p>

He was the longest serving Conservative Party leader, and became prime minister three times in the 1850s and 1860s, yet Edward Smith-Stanley's time in the top job barely added up to four years in total. Why were all his premierships so brief?

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1852; 1858-1859; 1866-1868: Edward Smith-Stanley

History is food for the brain. On Long History we split historic source documents into chunks of around ten minutes so you hear about historic events from the people who took part. Our previous series have included first-hand accounts of journeys by Magellan, Drake, Columbus and more. Treat yourself to something nourishing, and listen to real history while you’re doing it.

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Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1852; 1858-1859; 1866-1868: Edward Smith-Stanley

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1852; 1858-1859; 1866-1868: Edward Smith-Stanley