 The Liberal Party won more seats than any other party in the election , but insufficient to form a majority government , leaving the Irish Parliamentary Party holding the balance of power . It proved impossible to form a stable government , and so another general election was called in June 1886 . In the meantime , the Liberal Party had split , and the Liberal Unionist Party had been formed . Brunner 's opponent at the 1886 election was William Henry Verdin 's brother , Robert , standing as a Liberal Unionist . The election was held on 13 July 1886 , and Brunner was defeated by 458 votes . In November 1886 , Brunner embarked on a world tour , accompanied by his wife and his son Stephen . His return to Northwich on 2 July 1887 was greeted with great celebration , as he was extremely popular in the town , regarded as a kind and sympathetic employer and a generous benefactor . Within three weeks of Brunner 's return , Robert Verdin died and a by @-@ election was called . Brunner 's opponent was Lord Henry Grosvenor , who was standing as a Liberal Unionist . This time , at the election on 13 August , Brunner won with a majority of 1 @,@ 129 . At the 1892 general election , Brunner 's opponent was not a Liberal Unionist , but a Conservative , George Whiteley , who was a cotton manufacturer from Blackburn . Brunner was returned with an increased majority of 1 @,@ 255 . In the 1895 election he beat Thomas Ward , another Conservative , by 1 @,@ 638 votes . The 1900 general election was held during the Boer War , to which Brunner was opposed . He retained his seat , but with a reduced majority of 699 . In the 1906 general election , Brunner 's opponent was the Conservative Colonel B.N. North who had fought in the Boer War . Brunner increased his majority to 1 @,@ 792 . He continued to be the Member of Parliament for Northwich until the general election in January 1910 , when he decided not to stand again , partly because of his own health and also because of concern for his wife 's health . Subsequently he moved to Surrey , but continued to play a part in politics when he was elected to the Chertsey division of Surrey County Council . 
