The position of the new leader was very simple.

In effect, he told the Irish Nationalists that the English party he was about to lead had done its best for them.

They must now regard themselves as partners in the United Kingdom, with the British as the predominant partner.

Until the predominant partner could be brought to take the Irish view of the partnership, the relations between them must remain substantially as they were.

And not only must the concession of Home Rule await the conversion of the British electorate, but before the demand could be effectively preferred, another leader must rise up among the Irish; and he, for all Lord Rosebery knew, was at the moment being wheeled in a perambulator.