1-150-962 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'With the Stream', 1885. The cartoon depicts the new Conservative administration rowing in the 'Liberal stream' towards a General Election. Towards the stern is the Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Michael Hicks Beach and, at the bow, is the unpredictable Conservative MP, Lord Randolph Churchill. Having rather unexpectedly taken office, the Conservatives were more or less keeping to the proposed programme of their Liberal predecessors. It was suspected, however, that Lord Randolph entertained ambitions to succeed Sir Michael as the Leader of the Commons. From Punch, or the London Charivari, August 1, 1885.