Robert Walpole and Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend were removed from their positions in the government (the latter having already previously been demoted to Lord Lieutenant of Ireland), and were replaced by James Stanhope, 1st Viscount Stanhope of Mahon and Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland, who cooperatively led the first Stanhope–Sunderland ministry. The two Whigs remained in power from 1717 to 1721, although in 1718, Lord Stanhope exchanged positions with Lord Sunderland to form the second Stanhope–Sunderland ministry. Upon Lord Stanhope's death, Robert Walpole, widely considered the first true Prime Minister of Great Britain, returned to head the government.
The Ministry Office Holder Tenure First Lord of the TreasuryChancellor of the Exchequer James Stanhope, 1st Viscount Stanhope of Mahon 1717–1718 Secretary of State for the Northern Department Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland 1717–1718 Secretary of State for the Southern Department Joseph Addison 1717–1718 Lord Chancellor William Cowper, 1st Baron Cowper 1717–1718 Lord President of the Council William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire 1717–1718 Lord Privy Seal Evelyn Pierrepont, 1st Duke of Kingston-upon-Hull 1717–1718 First Lord of the Admiralty James Berkeley, 3rd Earl of Berkeley 1717–1718 Master-General of the Ordnance John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough 1717–1718 Paymaster of the Forces Henry Clinton, 7th Earl of Lincoln 1717–1718 Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Charles Paulet, 2nd Duke of Bolton 1717–1718 Lord Steward Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Kent 1717–1718 Lord Chamberlain Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle 1717–1718 Secretary of State for Scotland John Ker, 1st Duke of Roxburghe 1717–1718
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