Canning was replaced by Goderich, who proved to be an exceedingly weak leader. This did little to aid the divisions and fragility of the Tory party, and because of this, it appeared possible for a Whig government to be elected, thereby allowing Parliamentary reform to occur.
On the collapse of Goderich’s ministry, the King looked to the Protestant Tory Wellington to form a strong government. On doing so, Wellington dismissed the Canningites in government, yet many, including Grey, saw the value of united opposition against the Ultra Tory government. As a result, the dismissed Canningites accepted the necessity of reform in 1829 and 1830, as they knew how opposed Wellington was. ‘The way was now open for political realignment.’
The issue of Catholic Emancipation was still lurking, and Eldon spoke for Wellington when he spoke of the Bill being ‘Revolutionary.’ Daniel O’Connell, an Irish Catholic, won a by-election but could not serve. Wellington was now in a no-win situation, as if he passed the bill, the fragile unity of the Tory party would be destroyed. However, this was risked and in February 1829, the King said there’d be a ‘review of religious disabilities.’ On March 6th, Peel finally introduced a Catholic Emancipation Bill. This proved to many that, as Wellington had gone against his beliefs of Emancipation, what was to say that he wouldn’t do the same on the issue of Parliamentary reform? As Horace Twiss said, ‘Catholic Emancipation had riven the Conservative body asunder and through the chasm, the Reform Bill forced its way.’ The passing of the Bill was a major Constitutional reform, and the dissenting radical M.P. William Smith said Emancipation ‘appeared to have transformed a number of the highest Tories in the land to something very nearly resembling radical reformers. At this point, Reform appeared to be imminent.
Extra Parliamentary agitation increased dramatically during the period of 1829 to 1832. Working class leaders favoured full male suffrage and middle class allies still distrusted democracy. Political rallies, demonstrations and pro-reform petitions increased the want for reform. The outbreak of the ‘Swing riots’ showed that the working class were beginning to take the law into their own hands, and therefore parliament felt threatened. Ministers began to think that the only way to stop revolution was to grant a Reform Bill.
George IV died in June 1830, and the ensuing general election showed that Reform was important in determining strength of the government; those who dared to declare themselves against reform were beaten. This proved that change in the constitution was relatively welcome.
Wellington confessed defeat following his 1830 November statements, after which he was told, ‘You have announced the fall of your Government.’ He had done so by saying that he didn’t want Reform as he had given in on the issue of Catholic Emancipation. Grey replaced him, realising that Whigs could increase support if they backed Reform, which at the time was at the top of the list of aspirations for the working and middle classes.
It was because of this that Grey wanted to introduce a measure of reform, as by doing so he could strengthen Whigs and weaken Tory opposition. A Reform Bill in March 1831 only passed its second reading stage by one vote. Grey then asked William IV for a dissolution of Parliament, and a general election was called. This was a huge triumph for reformers, who won almost all ‘open’ boroughs. However, the House of Commons remained strongly anti-reform, so the Second Reform Bill was thrown out of the House of Lords by a majority of 40. Grey now had to convince the House of Lords of the necessity of a Bill. However, his patience was running out, as, although he had tried to persuade the Lords that he was on their side, the Bill was continuously being thrown out by them, The Kings refusal at Grey’s request to create fifty new peers, lead to Grey’s resignation. Wellington agreed to the Kings request to introduce a modest Reform Bill, but more demonstrations were organised as a result, keeping alive the threat of revolution. Finally on the 16th of May, the King reluctantly asked for Grey back as Prime Minister. Parliament believed that revolution was imminent, so they realised that a full measure of reform must be passed in order to satisfy public opinion. Once Wellington also confessed defeat on the issue of Reform, Parliamentary opposition collapsed.
On the 4th June, all opposition to Reform melted and the battle for reform was over. The 3rd reading of the 3rd Reform Bill sailed through the House of Commons and further through the House of Lords with a huge majority of 106 votes to 22. The House of Lords had finally given in and Parliament had accepted a full bill of Reform.
Therefore, the Great Reform Act was eventually passed as the peers, still fearing revolution, thought that the Bill would quell the rising spirit of the radicals, and that their position in Government would be more threatened if Parliament remained unchanged. The anti-reform Pittite majority that had dominated since 1794 had prevented a Bill from being passed, but once they had gone, Whig persistence and extra-Parliamentary pressure outside Westminster convinced Parliament that, without some measure of reform, the constitution remained increasingly threatened. Therefore, success was owed to the Whigs, who had passed a Reform Bill while still managing to preserve the system of Aristocratic Government.
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The French Revolution began in 1789. Louis XVI was overthrown by radicals, and the French response was favourable, so posing a threat to the British Parliament that the same could be done in England. The overthrowing of this most powerful Autocracy in Europe led to a greater emergence of radical groups everywhere.
Pitt was Prime Minister from December 1783-1801, and for a second time from 1804 till 1806.
Namely Liverpool, Castlereagh and Canning.
Changes made between August 1822 and January 1823.
Liverpool suffered a stroke in February 1827, so was forced to resign.
Wellington and Peel refused to serve in Cannings ministry.
Wellington, Westmoreland and Eldon wanted political relief for Protestants.
Huskisson and old Grenville supporters backed Catholic Emancipation.
In August 1827, Canning died and Goderich became Prime Minister.
Collapsed in autumn 1827.
Among those he dismissed was Huskisson.
Eric J. Evans: The Great Reform Act of 1832.
The rules stated that a Catholic could stand in a by-election, but not serve.
J. C. D Clark: English Society1688-1832.
Riots broke out due to failed harvest; unemployment rose and the public were in disarray.
The riots began in 1830. Workers began to burn hayricks and riots broke out due to a bad harvest.
In Bristol, rioters controlled the city for 3 days and in Nottingham, the Duke of Newcastle’s castle was set on fire. The days of May began in order to stop the Duke of Wellington becoming Prime Minister, as this would mean that reform would be even less likely. People were encouraged to run to banks and demand gold.