1-150-830 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Choice of Hercules', 1880. A sturdy John Bull, the representative of the British people, has his back to the viewer in this cartoon. On the right is the current Conservative Prime Minister, Disraeli, now the Earl of Beaconsfield. On the left is the Leader of the Liberal Opposition Party, William Gladstone. Both parties are pledging peace. However, Beaconsfield's empirical ambitions cost money in order to bring prestige, whereas Gladstone offered domestic prosperity. On the 8th March 1880, the Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer had announced the dissolution of parliament with a General Election to be held after Easter. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 27, 1880.