Overt examples of popular pressure are not difficult to come by as there are a number of examples of overt agitation prior to reform acts being passed. By 1830 the case for parliamentary reform had become stronger that it had ever previously been and this was not because the case for reform had changed but simply the fact that the pressure for reform had increased. The radical movement played a crucial role in the proceedings of the reform act and the political unions mass meetings and petitions in support of reform. The “Days of May” in 1832 were of major importance in preventing the Duke of Wellington from forming a government, and therefore leaving the king with no alternative but to agree to greys request for additional Whig peers. This was followed by the events that led to the 1st reform act (1832).
Covert popular pressure is a lot less obvious and involves politician’s views. Politician’s views must be considered, as they were responsible for the passing of acts leading to the extension of the franchise. It is important to asses how politicians viewed popular pressure and what their reasons were for passing acts between 1830-1931. It is clear that in 1832 there was some fear of revolution Thompson even wrote that during the days of may Britain was “within an ace of revolution”. The government also perceived there to be a possible reform. The French revolution first stimulated the possibility of reform, however it wasn’t clear whether there was an actual threat of revolution or if it was simply politicians misreading the threat. During the 1800’s the alliance between the middle and working classes was an affective threat to politicians. However they lacked organisation and although politicians fears did lead to the passing of the 1832 reform act, politicians were successfully able to limit the amount of change brought about by this act enabling them to reduce the threat of revolution without losing power for the upper classes. After 1832 the threat of revolution although present, was less of a concern to politicians and played only a minor role in the passing of the 1867 reform act. Although the fear of revolution had decreased for politicians, it must be remembered that as the 19th century progressed the electorate was still increasing and it became more and more important for politicians to have support in order to stay in positions of power.
It can be argued however and there are a number of events and theories that suggest that popular pressure wasn’t important and didn’t cause the reform acts although it was present. Both chartists and suffragettes are examples of failed popular pressure groups. Chartism remains one of the best-known working-class movements. Chartism was founded in 1838 and is key aim was to achieve male suffrage. Other aims included secret ballot and annually held elections. It is even know now that the final aim was never achieved as it would not make sense to change power every year as policies often take longer than 1 year to come through. The chartists had very strong movements in some areas of Britain but were very weak in others. It can be argued that the chartist movement was a failure because despite all of its activity in 1838- 1842 it was unsuccessful in persuading parliament to even look at its petitions. Although all of Chartism’s aims were eventually achieved (other than annual elections) there are few who believe any of these were down to the effectiveness of the chartist movement, mainly due to the fact that the chartist movement was not active during any reform acts.
The suffragette movement is another popular pressure movement, which it can be argued, failed. The movement aimed to achieve universal suffrage, which involved gaining the vote for women and a reform act was passed in 1928 which did achieved this. However it can be argued that the suffragette movement slowed the process of achieving universal suffrage because of some of the violence, which was used at this time by women. It is far more likely that the role of women in World War 1 was the main factor in allowing them to gain the vote, on an equal basis to men. This is because it would have been difficult to deny women equal voting rights after their efforts to help in the war effort. In 1918 some women had got the vote but they had to be over 30 and householders, whereas men only needed to be 21. In 1928 universal suffrage was achieved.
Social and economic changes could have also had an affect on politician’s actions in the extension of the franchise. The 1800’s were a period of time when the there was a great deal of social and economic change, which could have put pressure on politicians to change with the times. The 1832 reform act came about as a result of the spread of industrialisation and the growth of large towns and growing importance of the middle and working classes, which undermined the claims of the aristocracy to be the natural leaders of society. Religion also played a role as the growth of nonconformity in religion meant that attitudes towards the Anglican landed elite were undermined. Between 1831-1932 political clubs and radical newspapers became popular which increased political awareness of the middle and working classes. Economic problems caused distress, which meant that radicals gained support and pressures from radicals on politicians increased. Unions grew during the century and by the mid 1800’s they were attracting members from the unskilled sector as well as the skilled sector. Economic growth continued throughout the 1800’s, which meant that the working and middle classes influence increased as industries, which relied on them, grew. The middle classes were also becoming more respectable as the acted sensibly, saving money in banks and joining respectable trade unions. It can be argued that it is these factors that led to the passing of the first reform act, paving the way for the following acts and extension of the franchise.
If popular pressure and social changes where not the factors that convinced the politicians to pass the amendment acts that led to the extension of the franchise then other possible reasons, like selfish interest must be considered. Selfish interests of politicians and parties are very important factors for consideration in the passing of every reform act leading to the extension of the franchise. In the 1832 reform act, although popular pressure played a significant role, selfish party interest is also evident. The Whigs attempted to extend and keep control by extending the franchise in boroughs where they had the most support and reduce the franchise in the counties where the Whigs had less support. There is also the possibility that Grey (Whig leader) wanted to finish his career on a high note. In the 1867 reform act the self-interest of a politicians was also a factor. After the death of Palmerston there was a vacuum of power, which both the liberals and conservatives wanted to fill. Derby, the Conservative leader wanted to end his career on a high and increase the conservative parties popularity. Disraeli, the chancellor of the exchequer had personal reasons for the passing of the 1867 reform bill and although Derby was the party leader Disraeli was the more dominant figure. Although there were some popular pressure movements in support of reform at this time Disraeli’s main reasons for passing the act were more to do with exploiting divisions of the liberal party, therefore strengthening the conservative party and also succeeding where Gladstone had failed. This is evident because of Disraeli’s actions during the passing of the act. Disraeli accepted any amendments suggested other than those of Gladstone, which meant the act that was finally passed in 1867 was far more extreme than he had originally planned.
It is clear that although popular pressure did play a role in the extension of the franchise, the role was relatively insignificant after 1832 and other factors were far more important in the passing of acts during the 19th century. The largest popular pressure movements failed and this can be seen in the examples of the suffragette movement and Chartism which although eventually achieved there aims, this was long after the movements were over. Other factors played a very important role and none more so than the self-interest of politicians, which were clearly demonstrated in the 1867 reform act. This is such an important factor as politicians were so influential and were the people who decided to pass the various acts. Social and economic changes are also important because it can be argued that these changes meant that the political system needed to change with them in order to avoid revolution. Although it is clear that popular pressure is not the most influential factor in the extension of the franchise it must be remembered that popular pressure was influential in the first act in 1832 which actually paved the way to the extension of the franchise.