 However, John Batchelor's political activity brought him into conflict with the Bute family (John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute), who had significant land-holdings in Cardiff, including Cardiff Castle, and had built much of the docks.The Butes supported the Tory party and many believed that their conspiring led to the collapse of Batchelor's shipbuilding business.John Batchelor died in 1883 and a subscription fund was established to erect a statue in his memory.