Under Parnell's leadership, members of the IPP were required to promise that they would vote and act as they were told. This ensured that Parnell had complete control over the party and influence in parliament
In the 1885 election, the IPP won 86 of the 103 available Irish seats, making it the third largest party in Parliament. As the elction resulted in a hung parliament, the Liberals relied on the support of the IPP
