Canning, Goderich and Wellington, 1827-1830

Canning replaces Liverpool as PM, his ministry short-lived

Goderich is appointed Leader of the House of Lords

Canning negotiates the Treaty of London, creating British-French-Russian intervention in Greek independence

James Beaumont Neilson creates the Hot Blast, increasing the efficiency of smelting iron

George Canning dies of pneumonia, aged 57

Goderich replaces Canning as PM

Unable to hold together Canning's fragile coalition of moderate Tories and Whigs, Goderich reigns after only 144 days

Wellington replaces Goderich as PM

Peel becomes Home Secretary for the second time

The repeal of the Test and Corporations Act, lifting the legal ban on Nonconformist Protestants holding public office

Huskisson introduces the idea of a sliding scale for the Corn Laws

The County Clare by-election weakens Wellington's government, with Daniel O'Connell winning a seat 2:1, rather than intended Vesey Fitzgerald

Lord Liverpool dies of his third stroke, aged 58

Wellington is forced to pass the Catholic Relief Act due to unrest in Ireland

Peel finally passes Catholic Emancipation, allowing Catholics to hold public office. This angers the ultra-tories, who perceive the act as a betrayal by protestant landowners

Peel implements Huskisson's Corn Law sliding scale

The Birmingham Political Union is founded

George Stephenson designs the 'Rocket', deemed as the first modern steam locomotive. The machine wins the Rainhill Trials, travelling up to 30mph

The Swing Riots begin, making Wellington's government look weak and indecisive

A series of Swing Riot letters appear, issuing threats against local farmers and landowners. This provokes government reaction

In efforts to take a hardline approach, Wellington orders the hanging of Swing Rioters and the transportation of several hundred more

King George IV dies, aged 67

King William IV ascends to the throne, leading to a general election. Wellington retains his power, but votes favour the Whigs and Canningite Tories

Stephenson engineers the Liverpool-Manchester Railway, proving railways are viable for mass transport

Huskisson dies at the opening of the Liverpool-Manchester railway, aged 60. He is struck and fatally injured by the Rocket after falling in front of it

Wellington makes a major blunder in a reactionary speech, which praises the existing political system as being nearly perfect. This upsets nearly everybody, and does nothing for his declining popularity

Wellington alienates his own party by resisting electoral reform, leading to his downfall and thus resignation

Earl Grey replaces Wellington as MP