However, upon inheriting the dukedom, he is forced to relinquish the beloved post, as it is against constitutional convention for a member of the House of Lords to hold it. In The Prime Minister, when neither the Liberals nor the Conservatives are able to form a majority, a weak coalition government is the only solution. Palliser is asked to become Prime Minister because he is an undivisive figure, but he is too sensitive to enjoy his tenure. Socially awkward, he is especially vexed by his wife's lavish parties, which represent her attempt to help influence others to support him. Due to the fragile nature of the coalition, Palliser accomplishes little other than to keep the kingdom on an even keel. By the time he leaves office it is with regret, since he has grown accustomed to the power of his position and is greatly disappointed that he has not been able to do more. He declines a place in the Liberal cabinet which follows his, feeling it inappropriate to serve in a cabinet once he has led one, but, after some thought, he leaves the door open to a return to participation in the government in future. When the Liberals regain power at the end of The Duke's Children, he accepts a Cabinet post as Lord President of the Council. When the Duchess dies unexpectedly, Palliser comes to realise how necessary she has been to his happiness. She has been his only true friend: all others were either merely political allies or her friends. The widower is left to deal with the marriages of two of his three grown children, neither of which initially meets with his approval. The Omnium Government Cabinet members Duke of Omnium (Plantagenet Palliser): Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, and Leader of the House of Lords Lord Ramsden: Lord Chancellor Duke of St Bungay: Lord President of the Council Lord Drummond: Secretary of State for the Colonies Sir Orlando Drought: First Lord of the Admiralty and Leader of the House of Commons Joshua Monk: Chancellor of the Exchequer Barrington Erle, Postmaster General Non-cabinet Phineas Finn: Chief Secretary for Ireland Sir Gregory Grogram: Attorney General Sir Timothy Beeswax: Solicitor General Mr Rattler: Patronage Secretary Thomas Roby: Undersecretary for the Admiralty Changes Sir Orlando Drought resigns, ostensibly over disagreements with Government policy, but in reality because he believes that the Leader of the House of