There were three Home Rule bills introduced in the British Parliament, intended to give Ireland more autonomy; all three were sponsored by William Gladstone of the Liberal Party. His first was in 1886, it stated that there would be a legislature established with an upper house of 103 peers; 28 from the English House of Lords and 75 newly appointed. The lower house would have 103 MPs that were in Westminister, plus 101 new MPs. Irish peers and MPs were to be excluded from Westminister altogether; the English government would still have control over war, defence, treaties, trade, and many other issues. Also, Ireland would pay imperial taxes to Britain. On 8th June the bill was voted on and defeated, 341 (including 93 Liberals) against and 311 for.

Parliament was dissolved on 26 June and an election was called in which the Conversatives won a huge majority, clearly showing public opinion against Home Rule for Ireland.