Parliamentary Reform from 1851-1867

What was parliamentary reform like in the early 1850s?

It was largely unsuccessful, there were 5x attempts by Liberal and Conservative government for parliamentary reform but there was a lack of public drive for it- so it wasn't very impactful

When did the Conservatives abolish the property and £300 annual income requirements for running as an MP?

1858

What were the yearly running costs for an MP?

£500- expensive for the working class

What were the categories of reasons for the 1867 Second Reform Act?

Public mood, political motivations, genuine interest from politicians

When were the Reform Union and the Reform League established?

Union-1864 League-1865

What was the difference between the Reform Union and the Reform League?

The Reform Union was mainly middle class and the Reform League was mainly working class with a strong trade union influence- both called for parliamentary reform but different forms

What did the Reform League and Reform Union do after the defeat of Russell's parliamentary reform bill in 1866?

They combined (despite class differences) and rioted/demonstrated across the country in reaction to the defeat- Hyde Park sees demonstration by the Reform League

Who led the Liberal opposition to Russell's parliamentary reform bill in 1866?

Robert Lowe + the Adullamites

Example of radical politicians committed to parliamentary reform around 1867?

John Bright was a liberal MP who toured the country encouraging workers to demand the vote, JS Mill called for female suffrage and more suffrage in general

Who replaced Russel and Gladstone in 1866 after their resignation due to the failure of the parliamentary reform bill?

Lord Derby and Disraeli

What international events led to a public mood which wanted democracy?

The American Civil War and Italian Unification- Garbaldi visits London in 1864 to lots of support

In what year did Palmerston die?

1865- opened the door for Liberals to pursue parliamentary reform

What did Lord Russell propose for parliamentary reform in 1866 as Liberal PM?

He proposed a parliamentary reform bill which would've enfranchised 400,000 more voters, including highly skilled workers who pay £7 rates in urban areas and £14 rates in rural areas

What happened to Lord Russell's 1866 parliamentary reform bill?

The Whigs and Tories combined to defeat it- the Lib govt resigns

What was Disraeli's 'ten minute bill' in 1866?

It was his parliamentary reform bill which was more extreme than Russell's, aiming to enfranchise 800,000 more voters by including £6 rate payers- this is defeated in the Commons, but Disraeli follows this with the introduction of the even more radical 1867 bill

What were the provisions of the 1867 Reform Act?

Gave the vote to urban skilled workers who pay rates and occupy their homes for 2yrs, mainly extends the franchise to boroughs

What did Hodgkinson's and Aryton's amendments do?

Hodgkinson: Added 500,000 more voters in by enfranchising skilled worker lodgers Aryton: Reduced the requirement of 2yr residence to 1yr

What did Gladstone attempt to do to the 1867 Reform Act?

He attempted to amend it to reduce the extension of the franchise- these amendments were defeated

How much did the electorate grow due to the 1867 Reform Act?

1.5 million new voters- more radical than Disraeli or Derby intended

How many new urban votes were there following the 1867 Second Reform Act?

830,000, 134% increase

How many new rural voters were there after the 1867 Second Reform Act?

290,000

What sections of British society were still excluded from the electorate after the 1867 Parl. Reform Act?

All rural workers and the very poorest workers (homeless)

Example of population disproportion in the number of MPs given to areas following the 1867 Second Reform Act?

The South-West was represented by 45MPs despite being 3x smaller than the North-East which was represented by 32MPs

How many seats did the densely populated areas of Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool receive from the 1867 Second Reform Act?

Only 1 more seat- not proportionate to the urban populations, too weighted towards the counties

Did the 1867 Second Reform Act successfully balance the representation of rural vs urban constituencies?

No