In Our Time The Great Reform Act
Nov 27, 2008
Melvyn Bragg discusses the Great Reform Act of 1832, exploring the political landscape, disparities in parliamentary representation, resistance to reform, and the push for change. The Act transformed British politics, extending the vote and empowering industrial cities for the first time. The episode highlights class alliances, the birth of Chartism, and the impact of the Reform Acts of 1832 and 1867 on British democracy.
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French Revolution's Double Effect
- The French Revolution inspired reformers but terrified elites, prompting repression after 1815 to prevent similar upheaval.
- Events like Peterloo and the Six Acts show how fear of revolution suppressed reform for decades.
1831 Lords' Rejection Sparked Riots
- The Lords' rejection of the reform bill in 1831 sparked riots in Bristol, Nottingham and Derby and mobilized mass political unions.
- Thomas Attwood's Birmingham Political Union exemplified middle‑ and working‑class pressure that made reform unavoidable.
Limited Franchise Expansion In 1832
- The 1832 Act expanded the electorate mainly to middle‑class householders and excluded most working men, increasing voters from ~500k to ~800k.
- It introduced consistent voting qualifications (the £10 householder) but formally barred women by inserting 'male' into the law.