The Great Reform Act of 1832

The section explores the events that led to the passing of the Great Reform Act of 1832. Throughout the early 19th century, there was mounting pressure for changes to the British electoral system. This demand for reform was driven by increasing public discontent, which led to violence, deaths, and widespread public disorder. Those in power feared that Britain could experience a revolution like the French Revolution of 1789, which had seen the overthrow of the entire ruling class, with many of the aristocracy executed. In response to these growing pressures, the British government passed the Great Reform Act of 1832. While it was a significant step forward, it did not extend the vote to working-class people and did not quell the ongoing demands for further reform.

Why Was the Great Reform Act Passed?

The passing of the Great Reform Act was largely influenced by the increasing unrest and demand for change across the country. After the Peterloo Massacre of 1819, where peaceful protesters calling for reform were violently suppressed, the government had banned large public gatherings. Despite this, the calls for reform continued, with new movements and protests emerging across Britain.

The Formation of the Birmingham Political Union

One such movement was the Birmingham Political Union (BPU), founded in 1829 by Thomas Attwood. The BPU was aimed at representing the lower and middle classes, who were seeking greater political representation. The Union organised a petition that called for the extension of the vote to all men who paid taxes. This petition gathered around 8,000 signatures, demonstrating widespread support for electoral reform.

Although the petition was rejected, Attwood's methods inspired other groups to adopt similar tactics. Attwood's growing influence and his call for people to refuse to pay taxes until they were granted the vote caused increasing alarm among the ruling elite, who feared a growing movement that might demand more radical changes.

A Change in Government and Monarchy

In 1830, the Conservative Party was voted out of power after decades of resistance to reform. The new government, led by the Whig Party, was more sympathetic to the calls for electoral reform. This shift in power was further emphasised by the death of King George IV and the ascension of William IV to the throne. King William IV, along with the new Whig administration led by Prime Minister Earl Grey, was more willing to consider and support reforms, including changes to the electoral system.

Rioting for Reform

In 1831, the House of Commons passed two reform bills that aimed to address the demands for electoral reform. However, the House of Lords, which was still dominated by Conservative peers, rejected both bills. This sparked widespread rioting in major cities such as London, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Leicester, and Derby. The protests were violent, resulting in deaths and significant destruction. The scale of the unrest led to fears that Britain was on the brink of a revolution, similar to that which had occurred in France.

Faced with the prospect of further unrest, the House of Lords eventually agreed to pass the reform bill in 1832, bringing an end to the immediate crisis and making the Great Reform Act a reality.

Features of the Great Reform Act

The Great Reform Act of 1832 introduced several significant changes to the British electoral system:

• Reorganisation of Boroughs and Counties: The Act restructured the electoral districts, or boroughs, and counties to ensure more equitable representation.
• Loss of MPs for Rotten Boroughs: The Act abolished 56 "rotten boroughs" (boroughs with very small populations that were disproportionately represented in Parliament). A further 31 boroughs had their representation reduced to just one MP.
• New Representation for Towns and Cities: 42 new towns and cities gained MPs, reflecting the shift in population to urban areas due to the Industrial Revolution.
• Expansion of the Franchise: In the counties, the franchise was extended to include shopkeepers, small landowners, and farmers who rented land. In the boroughs, the right to vote was granted to all homeowners and those paying over £10 per year in rent.

As a result of these changes, the number of men eligible to vote increased significantly, from around 435,000 to over 650,000. This marked a major step towards a more representative electoral system.

How Much Change Did the Great Reform Act Bring?

Despite the significant changes introduced by the Great Reform Act, it did not entirely satisfy the demands for reform, and the struggle for greater political participation continued.

• Working-Class Exclusion: The most notable limitation of the Act was that it did not extend the vote to working-class men. As a result, working people were still excluded from the political process, despite their significant role in society.
• The Rise of Chartism: The ongoing exclusion of the working classes from voting led to the birth of the Chartist movement, which demanded universal suffrage for all men. Chartists called for a range of political reforms, including the secret ballot and the payment of MPs, to create a fairer and more inclusive electoral system.
• The Secret Ballot: The Great Reform Act did not introduce the secret ballot, which meant that voters were still required to publicly declare their vote. This left individuals vulnerable to bribery and intimidation, especially in areas controlled by wealthy landowners.
• Exclusion of Women: Women were still excluded from voting entirely, and the reform did little to address their political rights. The suffrage movement for women would continue to grow over the coming decades.
• Middle-Class Men and Future Reform: While the Great Reform Act extended the vote to a significant number of middle-class men, this group now used their votes to push for further reforms. Many middle-class men supported the Chartists' calls for universal suffrage and other electoral changes.

In conclusion, the Great Reform Act of 1832 was a landmark moment in British history, but it was only the beginning of a long process of political reform. While it opened the door to greater political participation for some, it did not satisfy the demands of all reformers, particularly those advocating for universal suffrage. The fight for a fairer, more inclusive electoral system would continue well into the 19th and 20th centuries.