After not having much success as an author, young social gadfly Benjamin Disraeli decides to run for Parliament. He loses his first bid but is eventually elected as a Tory.

Disraeli makes his presence felt as a member of Parliament and marries a wealthy widow named Mary Anne Lewis, but he's disappointed at continually being bypassed for a Cabinet position.

Disraeli's stature in his party rises as he gains the favor of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He also begins his great rivalry with Liberal leader Gladstone and sees his wife's health begin to deteriorate.