‘How far were the improvements in the conditions of the working classes in the period 1851-1885 due to the efforts of Gladstone?’

INTRO

• Not a reformist, rather reactionary —> Hence reforms remained limited to fully improve lives of working class

• Whilst Disraeli’s reforms executed greater impact through his social reforms to improve lives of WC eg. through public health acts, ultimately he shared the same intentions of Gladstone as a pragmatic politician which was to earn the vote of the WC particularly after 1867 Reform Act and sustained in not being sufficient enough to fully improve lives of WC, social reforms in 20th Century far exceeded in its achievement to exhibit great impact for WC

• Gladstone achieved first step in allowing principle of govt intervention t be accepted, acknowledgement of WC grievances and how the enhancement of lives was necessary yet this was only theoretically but practically actions was limited

P1 - Gladstone’s Actions —> Counter with personal beliefs

1. 1861 Post Office Savings Account: 2.5% interest per year & maximum deposits £30 hence over 2 years, public finances were boosted by £8.2M & reduced threshold for income tax from £150 to £100 so more paid taxes so govt had means to act —> Promoted working-class thrift & increased state revenue, strengthening government finances and enabling reform

2. Belief in FT - Cobden Treaty with France doubled British exports to France making foreign imports cheaper —> increased living standards an improved diets, named the “People’s William”

3. 1870 Married Women’s Property Act: Made women’s income separate from husbands & allowed to keep inherited property —> Significant step in campaign for greater rights for women

4. 1871 University Tests Act: Removed tests for university teaching posts which effectively reserved them for Anglicans only —> making them fairer

5. HOWEVER, Reforms bought in due to necessity, not due to genuine concern for WC/didn’t believe' in govt duty of intervention/didn’t believe in equality for women or equality of education

6. Much reforms due to reports of royal comisssions, not on Gladstone’s intitative eg. 1871 Local Govt Board Act to bring together responsibility for poor law, sanitation, pullution etc was bought about by Royal Commission, Married Women Property Acts 1870 & 1882 campaigned by female suffragists eg. Millicent Fawcett

P2 - Disraeli’s efforts

1. Public Health Act 1874: Made local authorities responsible for provision of services eg. sewage, drainage , water systems & street lighting

2. Rivers Pollutions Act 1875: Prohibitied release of poisonous substances into rivers

3. Artisans Dwellings Act 1875: Gave local authoritites powers to buy up areas of poor quality housing & oversee (with encouragement of subsidies) construction of improved houses

4. Factory Act 1874: Reduced working hrs for women and children from 10 ½ to 10 hrs a day, half day Saturday, children age to work raised from 8 to 10

5. Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act 1875: Extended protection of union funds & legal to picket during industrial disputes

• HOWEVER, Disraeli’s tory democracy view systemtically undermined —> Blake & Smith argue he took little direct interest in reform & were limited and piecemeal

• ADA compulsory purchase clauses rejected in HOL, became discretionary and many would not ..

• Most Acts followed up by work of Royal Comissions/Select Committees appointed by Liberals

• Left work primarliy to home secretary Richard Cross

P3 - Gladstone’s Limited acts

1. 1869 Endowed Schools Act: To modernise schools BUT only affected 1/7 of population who were mainly upper/middle class AND result of independent reports Clarendon & Taunten Commissions

2. 1872 Licencing Act: Intended to deal with alcohol related issue so pubs in towns had to close at midnight —> Provoked riots & loss of Liberal support

3. 1871 Trade Union Act —> Recognised legal status of trade unions HOWEVER, TUA balanced by Criminal Law Amendment Act 1871 failed to establish right for peaceful picketing

4. 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.