He joined Chatham’s ministry in 1766, but failed to build up a political following and was regarded with distrust by many of his colleagues. His ideas were often regarded as impracticable, especially his conciliatory scheme of 1767 for settling the American question. He opposed the American policies of Lord North and in 1782 succeeded Lord Rockingham as Prime Minister. He was responsible for settling the main outlines of the peace treaty between Britain and America, but before these could be concluded he was brought down by a combination of the supporters of Charles James Fox and North in 1783.