The corn laws held the prices of wheat at a certain low level, this was to help protect it from foreign imports, however it was seen as an example of landowners protecting their own personal finances. Riots, petitions and demonstrations followed. However in 1822 many tariffs and restrictions on imports were removed. And in 1832 the Corn Laws were modified by substituting a sliding scale for the previous fixed rate. As British wheat rose in price, the duty on foreign wheat was reduced. Also in 1832, the Navigation Laws were relaxed, this allowed foreign ships to bring goods into British Ports. The Corn Laws were modified to appease merchants as it would be easier to import corn but also protect British Farmers.
Between August 1822 and January 1823 the Cabinet went through changes that may have led to Liverpools Government changing direction slightly. Many younger, more middle class members known as the “liberal Tories” replaced the former members which were more conservative. These were known as the enlightened Tories. Among these new members were, George Canning as Foreign Secretary, Robert Peel as Home Secretary, Frederick Robinson as Chancellor of the Exchequer and William Huskisson as President of the Board of Trade. They believed that happiness should be in the happiness of the greatest number of people.
They viewed economic changes and improvements as the way to do this. Britains trading position needed to be improved with the rest of the world on the policy of free trade. Huskisson wanted to reduce tariffs and taxes on imported goods and he was supported by many among the business community. Many merchants wanted the tariffs lifted which protected the hone market for cheaper goods from abroad. Huskisson was able to take up the challenge with several acts.
The Reciprocity of Duties Act of 1823 attempted to change navigational laws. The restrictions of this act were outdated, as other countries were not allowing British ships to pass in its waters and exclude them from their ports. This was because Britain was doing the same in banning foreign ships in British ports and waters. Now British ships were allowed into foreign ports, and foreign ships into British ports. Another aim of this acts was a show of goodwill to the rest of the world from Britain. It also reduced the cost of imports to British manufacturers. There was genuine desire to reform here as a sign of goodwill, but also Huskisson had British trading interests in mind too. This would bring about a more stable economy if he could get more countries trading with Britain.
Restrictions placed on trade with Britains colonies had previously been under strict control. Huskissons influence allowed colonies to trade with foreign countries but the colony had to pay more tax on foreign goods than they did British goods. This way Britain was still able to keep control of its colonies trade in some way. The reforms of trade were not due to a genuine desire to reform. They were due to a mixture of making Britains economy more stable by getting trade from more countries and also from outside pressure such as the merchants who wanted imported goods.
Robinson’s desire to reduce domestic duties gave him a reputation as a liberal. This worked well with Huskissons ideas on free trade. Robinson wanted to reduce duties on imported raw materials. Such items as wool, silk, tea and rum were reduced in duty to encourage more demand for them. This would help provide economic stability. Indirect taxation was reduced in the period 1821-1827. This would bring more goodwill towards the lower classes as they had to pay the same amount of indirect tax as the higher classes and this was a source of much resentment towards the Tories. This could be a show of genuine desire to reform, as the Tories wanted to appear more concerned about the lower classes. However this would also help Britains economy, but this was masked with a show of goodwill.
While the standard of living was being improved by the economic reforms, the living and working conditions and also legal system had to be addressed. Robert Peel had to supervise these improvements as he had administrative and organizational skills.
Trade Unions which had previously been seen as a threat to the stability of the state as in 1799 when they were passes, the state had to be united during the middle of the Napolionic War. The purpose of trade unions was to protect the working classes against being exploited by the employer. While they were banned, they simply changed their names to friendly societies. Radicals MP’s had previously argued for the repeal of the Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 as they predicted that their would be an improved relationship between the workers and employers. It was a matter of time before the Cabinet realised that it was common sense, and in 1824 the Acts were repealed. This is a show of genuine desire to reform as it would improve the conditions in the place of work. This would also help calm any resentment the working classes had against the aristocrats.
The British legal system was inefficient in the time that the British liked to see themselves as civilised, one of the Major issues was the Penal Code. This stated that even stealing a loaf of bread was worthy of death. Prisons were filthy and ill kept. Peel was backed by humanitarian reformers on the subject. However it is probable that there was more concern over the efficiency of the Code than the concern of the criminals in the gaols. Despite this, from 1832 to 1830 he passed reforms which transformed the system. The case here was not genuine desire to reform, but to just make the system simpler and that there be less hassle.
It ended with the death penalty being removed for over 180 offences of the 200 which carried it as a penalty. The Jury was also made aware that it had a responsibility to uphold during a trial so it would appear more tolerant and humane. In this case the reforms were passed to stop a more extreme reform, the reform would make the humanitarian reformers satisfied, but it would again need to be altered again in future years. The death penalty would be removed from all offences bar treason within the next century. However this can be put down to a more civilised society putting the correct punishment to the crime.
The standards of the Gaoles were to be brought upto a standard of national comparability. The Gaolers were to be paid and all inmates receive some form of basic education.
Probably the most important and significant reform for the period was the introduction of the Metropolitan Police force by Peel in 1829. The crime rate had been rising enormously in London during the period of discontent after the war and it was still on the rise during the mid 1820’s. It was to be experimental, but was so successful that it was soon brought into force in the rest of the country. It was to be paid for by the people it was trying to protect, namely, the ratepayers. The crime rate began to recede and this was seen as confirmation that such a measure was necessary. There was need for reform here to make the people of London feel safe, the main cause for unrest and crime was poverty.
Peel, Huskisson and Robinson all had some genuine desire to reform, they had seen how close Britain had come to civil war in Ireland in 1826, they did not want to risk an uprising in Britain. At the time, Britain did not have the manpower to put down an armed and well lead uprising. However there would be a limited effect of some reforms. The reforms based around trading with Britains colonies would only have to be relaxed again at a later date. It was in effect just a slight reform to keep the colonies quiet for a short time while Huskisson was in office. Those reforms also had the interests of Britain in mind, it allowed them to trade with other countries, however it had limitations as for each different country to start trading again with Britain, an individual Act needed to be passed. This would take time.
The Catholic Emancipation Act was a not genuine desire for reform, it was needed as there were simply not enough troops available to put down a civil war in Ireland which would have been the only other option if the Act were not passed. Also the Test and Corporation Acts which required all those that stood to office be of Anglican Faith were repealed. This had to be repealed in the Emancipation Act was to be passed to. However this could be classed as one of the most significant reforms passed by the Tories in this period. It led to their downfall and the Whigs coming to power in 1830. The Reform Act was passed two years later.
I don’t think that the Tories of the time had a genuine desire to reform the country, however they were realists. They knew that if reform were not brought about then they would at least be faced with being out of office and at the worst a civil war. It was all part of Britain coming out of the post Napolionic depression era for good. If these reforms had not been brought about then Britain would have been faced with the great depression making their economy less and less stable. Unemployment would have not receded, and discontent among the people would have still been in evidence. It was the very start of Britain becoming a more modern and democratic power which would put them in an excellent situation ready for their empire building. The Tories at the time were just adapting the Government to make way for a more democratic future.