1-157-865 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'Fidgety Joe', 1903. The troubles of coalition government. Two parents representing the Duke of Devonshire and Arthur Balfour (centre), respective leaders of the Liberal Unionist and Conservative parties, trying to control their son, Joseph Chamberlain. In September 1903 Chamberlain resigned from the government to be free to advocate his tariff reforms aimed at giving preference to imperial products. The issue of Imperial Preference caused deep divisions in the government paving the way for the Liberal Party's return to power after a landslide victory in the 1906 general election. Cartoon from Punch. (London, 24 June 1903).