Politics 1 Flashcards
(14 cards)
What was the organisation of the House of Commons before 1850s?
- elected in by constituencies that were controlled by the elite
- voters made up 7% of the population
- only 25% of MPs had no connection to the aristocracy
- elections were held every 7 years
- most MPs were friends or family with the aristocrats in the House of Lords
How was the organisation of the House of Commons in the 1850s?
- social background of many MPs began to vary, with 2/3rds being drawn from commerce (represented new industrial wealth of Britain)
- 1832 Great Reform Act extended the franchise to the upper middle class men, resulting in some middle class MPs
- middle class increasingly wanted their own share of the power instead of relying on the aristocracy
- MPs were unpaid and needed around £500 per year to cover costs
- House of Commons was gradually becoming more powerful than the House of Lords
- 1886 = 2/3rds of MPs were from middle class industrial backgrounds
How was the House of Lords arranged before the 1850s?
- members were appointed and not elected
- hereditary peers were common (inherited the seat from relatives)
- people with titles were members of= peers, CoE bishops
- many PMs and cabinet members were members of the House of Lords rather than the House of Commons
- could control choice of MPs until 1932
Was the House of Lords changing after the 1850s?
Yes
- the HoC was becoming more important in passing laws
- the middle class were becoming increasingly integrated into the ruling elite as they became wealthier
No
- aristocracy continued to be the wealthiest class and controlled most political and social activity
- as votes were public,they could evict people who voted against their candidate
Why did the conservatives split in 1846?
The Corn Laws
They were a tax on grain imports from America
Peelites (led by Robert Peele) wanted to repeal them whilst protectionists wanted them to remain
What successes did the conservatives have 1846-1868?
- 4/9 governments
- passed the 2nd Reform Act 1867
- abolished income qualification to be an MP
- allowed practising Jewish people to become MPs
How did the conservatives fail 1846-1868?
- didn’t have a workable majority
- lost the 1858 confidence vote
- lack of strong leaders
- failed to hold a government in parliament
What did Disraeli do 1846-1868?
- helped to lead the split of the conservatives - he didn’t want the corn laws to be repealed - mostly due to a dislike of Peele
- became conservative leader in the House of Commons
- became Chancellor of the Exchequer 1852
- became PM 1868 after Lord Derby died
When did the Liberal party form?
1859, when the Whigs, Radicals, and Peelites
After 1852 Whigs and Peelites coalition
How did Gladstone’s personality influence the political ideology of ‘Gladstonian Liberalism’?
He was deeply religious and believed in doing what was right for people rather than for personal gain
What were Gladstone’s key beliefs?
Political reform
Retrenchment (cutting taxes)
Free trade
Anglicanism
What tensions were there in the Liberal party in 1860s?
Tension between Gladstones principles, the practicalities of running a government, and reforming the country
Whigs believed his policies went too far, and radical reformers believed they didn’t goo far enough
What did Gladstone do after the 1874 election defeat?
- retired from party leadership
- stopped attending parliament but didn’t resign his seat as an MP
Why was the Midlothian Campaign important?
- milestone in democratic politics
- Liberal party accepted Gladstone back for his personality rather than his campaign so it is hardly democratic, he also stood for a second safe seat in Leeds which he gave to his son
