Why was there no further parliamentary reform between 1832-65?

1. Why was there no further parliamentary reform between 1832-65? www.educationforum.co.uk

2. Factor 1: The Dominance of Palmerston • From Peel onwards Palmerston was the dominant political figure and was strongly opposed to any further parliamentary reform: Foreign Secretary 1846-51 Home Secretary 1852-55 Prime Minister 1855-58 & 1859-65 On Palmerston’s death in 1865 the question of parliamentary reform quickly reappeared on the agenda culminating in the 2nd Reform Act 1867

3. Why Was Palmerston Able to Dominant Politics? • The political parties were in disarray after the Repeal of the Corn Laws. • The Conservatives were split between Protectionists and Peelites so the Whigs were in a strong position (Palmerston was a Whig). • Palmerston was able to ‘manage his image’ through press leaks and articles in the Morning Post – 1st politician to use ‘spin’ in this way • Palmerston had a big charisma and was popular as a genial rogue – loved racing, boxing and women – nicknamed ‘Lord Cupid’ • Foreign policy – Palmerston’s aggressively patriotic foreign policy won him support and also diverted working class attention from domestic issues The historian ED Steele suggests Palmerston believed that any further extension of the vote would destroy aristocratic power – they first needed to be educated before they should have the vote.

4. Factor 2: The Failure of Chartism • The fiasco of 1848 on Kennington Common and the disgrace of Feargus O’Connor following the collapse of the land Company scheme fundamentally weakened calls for parliamentary reform. • Working class politics tended to centre on trade union activity in the mid Victorian period rather than political protest ‘New Model Unions’ based on specific trades – respectable, ‘conservative’ and non political

5. Factor 3: Mid Victorian Stability • The free trade reforms of first Peel and then Gladstone created a prolonged period of prosperity in which significant sectors of the working class were able to share. • This coupled to ongoing social reform such as Factory Act 1850 (10.5 hour day) and the Public Health act 1848 (setting up boards of health to improve public health in towns)

6. Interpreting Mid Victorian Stability • Marxist historians have suggested that the British working class was ‘bought off’ by a share in the super profits of the British empire – the serious exploitation of the workers occurred in the British Empire rather than in the UK itself

7. Evaluation Attempts were made at reform bills in 1852, 1854 and 1860 (all Lord John Russell), but in the face of public apathy and distaste from Palmerston they all failed. Even when Palmerston was persuaded not to resist the 1860 Bill (to gain the support of the Radicals) the bill received little popular support in the house of Commons or the country as a whole. How far was this to do with Palmerston’s influence?