‘The social reforms of the period 1868-1885 were undertaken reluctantly and had limited impact.’ Assess the validity of this view.

P1 - Reforms were reluctant and ideologically constrained

• Gladstone: Reforms out of necessity, not due to geniune concern for WC/belief that govt had duty to intervene

• Much reforms introduced was due to reports of Royal Commission, not on his initiative eg. 1871 Local Govt Act bought together responsibility for poor law, sanitation, pollution etc was result of Royal Commission & 1869 Endowed Schools Act was result of independent reports of Clarendon & Taunten Commissions, Employer Liability Act 1880 - Established principal of compensation for workplace accidents caused by negligence of managers but was campaigned by Chamberlain & Bright

• Disraeli: Pragmatic approach & politically expedient, possibly no difference to reforms a Liberal govt might have bought in as Bruce Colemen argues

• Preoccupied with Foreign Policy (like Gladstone with Ireland) in form of Eastern Question (problems arising from decling power in southeast Europe) & left others like Richard Cross (Home Secetary), reports from Royal Commission in 1850s & 60s and he didn’t outline/produce detail of reforms

• HOWEVER: Gladstone women’s property act conveys suggestion he desired equality eg. Married Women’s Property Act 1870 & 1882 meant women could inherit their own propety taken previously from husbands and in 1882 meant Married women can now enter into contracts, hold stocks and shares and take responsibility for their debts —> Landmark in married women’s rights yet it was not significant enough and was prompted by campaigners such as Millicent fawcett

P2 - Some reforms had significant impact & were not reluctant

• Gladstone: May have had strong conviction on issues like meritocracy eg. Civil Service Reforms and on social responsibility eg. Licencing Act 1872, He did back change

• Efforts to move GB to a meritocracy had long lasting impact eg. 1871 University Tests Act which removed tests for university teaching posts which had effectively reserved them for Anglicans only, making it fairer

• DISRAELI: Has long intrest in social reform as far back with his publication of ‘Sybil’ 1845 (GB split into 2 nations, the rich and poor and that the “palace is not safe when the cottage is not happy” & was responsible for development of ‘One Nation’ Conservatism & embarked on his Tory Democracy vision which put social issues on agenda firmly for Conservatives, Took personal intrest in TU legislation & had drafted 1875 Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act himself

• Some policies especially on workers’ rights were substantial eg. Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act , Employers and Workmen Act 1875 (Made breaches of contract by workers & employers subject to civil law as prior to this, workers breaking contracts were subject to prosecution)

• HOWEVER - Gladstone did not personally support UTA and this only impacted more of MC than WC

• Such a traditional interpretation of Disraeli’s democracy vision can be challenged as his perceived sympathy for WC is tempered by the fact that his reforms sought to preserve social hierarchy rather than challenge it eg. His own passing of 1867 Reform Act a 1/3 of working class hence likely wanted to proclaim their vote

P3 - Impact was limited

• Gladstone: 1869 Endowed Schools Act only affected 1/7 of population, mainly upper/mc

• Disraeli: Didn’t seek to address institutional/systematic problems but instead focused on narrow & specific issues

• Many laws were permissive & not enforced eg. 1876 Rivers Pollution Act, Sale of Food & Drug Act 1875, Agricultural Holdings Act 1875, Artisans Dwellings Act 1875 (compulsory purchase clauses rejected by HOL) hence poverty & poor conditions remained

• HOWEVER - 1880 Education Act made education compulsory (5-10) making primary education standard yet still not free for all Secondary and university education remain preserve of wealthy.

Conclusion

• Disraeli’s personal interest in winning WC vote & preparedness to contemplate limited measures of social improvement

• Reactionary in nature of Gladstone’s reforms, Richard Shannon rightly argues he was elitist in his leadership believing govts should guide people rather than be dictated by pressure below —> Hence Statement is wholly right as Gladstone following his additional belief and the party’s belief in limited state intervention meant policies were bound to be limited and both PMs were either opportunists/pressurized