Why did Wellington support changes to the Corn Laws while serving as prime minister?

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, supported changes to the Corn Law during his tenure as prime minister primarily as a strategic move to maintain a stable government and pursue a policy of moderation.1

Facing pressure from the opposition and groups within his own cabinet—specifically the Canningites led by William Huskisson—Wellington recognized the need to retreat on certain contentious issues to preserve political balance. By introducing a more liberal reform to the laws governing the importation of foreign grain than he or the agricultural interest originally desired, he sought to navigate the growing political divide and address the demands for reform that were gaining momentum during his ministry. This approach was part of a broader, albeit often secretive, effort to manage the political climate, which also included his reform of the Test and Corporation Acts and his eventual support for Catholic Emancipation.1