1-150-838 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Cat that Killed the Rat', 1880. Mr Gladstone, the Liberal Prime Minister, is the cat catching the malt mouse in this cartoon. This relates to a Supplementary Budget introduced by Gladstone following his election victory over the Conservative Party earlier in the year. Mr Gladstone also held the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer. Amongst other proposals was one that the Malt Tax should be abolished and replaced with a Beer Duty. In addition, Income Tax was increased by a penny. From Punch, or the London Charivari, June 26, 1880.