Gladstone's decision to call an election surprised his colleagues, for they were aware of large sectors of discontent in their coalition.

For example, the nonconformists were upset with education policies; many working-class people disliked the new trade union laws and the restrictions on drinking.

The Conservatives were making gains in the middle-class, Gladstone wanted to abolish the income tax, but failed to carry his own cabinet.

The Irish Nationalist gains could well be attributed to the effects of the Secret Ballot Act, as tenants faced less of a threat of eviction if they voted against the wishes of their landlords.

[4] This is the only time, since the introduction of the secret ballot, that a UK party has been defeated despite receiving an absolute majority of the popular vote.