First Whig Junto

The First Whig Junto controlled the government of England from 1694 to 1699 and was the first part of the Whig Junto which had the sense of a cabal of people (self-interested group) controlling the most important political decisions.^[1]

Having slowly risen to government ascendancy in the person of Lord Danby (1st Earl) who had held office through three shortly-spaced changes of Sovereign (dating to the Royal-dominated ministries of Charles II), the Whig elite established dominance in 1694 with the appointment of Sir Charles Montagu as Chancellor of the Exchequer on 10 May. Danby, who had been created Duke of Leeds on 4 May, remained in office, under a diminished role while still Lord President of the Council, but the Junto controlled the government of England from 1694 to 1699.

It was led by six prominent members: Montagu^{[n 1]}, Somers, Wharton, Romney, Orford, and Shrewsbury. Supporting these peers were two unofficial whips in the House of Lords: the Earls of Sunderland and Portland. Only one of these held at the time an office, albeit less senior, as Lord Chamberlain. The Whig Party held a majority in the House of Commons after the election in 1695, although not all Whig MPs were unswervingly loyal to the Junto.

• James Vernon was appointed Secretary of State in 1697, with responsibility for the Northern Department. The following year, after the Duke of Shrewsbury left the government, he took responsibility for the Southern Department as well.

Notes and references

Notes

References

Kingdom of England Ministries, 1660–1707
List of English ministries
Charles II (1660–1685) and James II (1685–1688)	Clarendon Cabal Danby I Privy Council The Chits
William and Mary (1689–1694)	Carmarthen–Halifax Carmarthen (Danby II)
William III (1694–1702)	First Whig Junto Pembroke Ministry
Anne (1702–1707)	Godolphin–Marlborough
List of British governments (for ministries from 1707 onwards)

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