The conservative party in Britain called a general election in March 1880. The liberal party were elected with Gladstone as their leader. 63 home rule mp’s were also elected and Parnell himself was elected in 3 constituencies. It was obvious that Parnell had gained much support through his leadership of the land league and this put him in a powerful position within the home rule party. 27 of the elected MP’s were supporters of Parnell and linked to the land league. Parnell then contested the leadership of the home rule party. He emerged as the winner with 21 votes, 3 more than his opponent, William Shaw.
The liberal party did not have a clear Irish policy but was becoming concerned with the rising violence in Ireland due to the land war. On the 7th of April 1881 Gladstone introduced a land reform measure. This was the land law bill. This bill granted tenants free sale, fair rent and fixity of tenure. It recognised tenants interest in the land and they would be compensated for any improvements they make to the property. It also gave the land courts the authority to fix rents for a period of 15 years. Gladstone hoped the bill would undermine Parnell and split the land league. The bill had many faults including the rent being fixed for 15 years. What was a fair rent at the time may not be a fair rent in 15 years. However the moderates in the party wanted to accept the bill while the radicals did not. Parnell showed his leadership skills by keeping the support of both the radicals and the moderates. He achieved this by doing nothing to obstruct the bill in parliament but publicly criticising its weakness.
Parnell was arrested on the 13th of October 1882 as it seemed to Gladstone the Parnell was encouraging violence. He was taken to Kilmainham jail with the other land league leaders. On the 18th of October he agreed to a no rent manifesto whereby tenants would withhold their rent. The land league was banned and the government had little control over law and...