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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Chaotic Pre‑Reform Electoral Map
- Before 1832 representation was chaotic with counties and tiny 'rotten' boroughs returning MPs disproportionate to population.
- Industrial cities like Manchester had huge populations yet no parliamentary representation, exposing the system's inconsistency.
Constitution Seen As A Living 'Tree'
- Intellectual resistance treated the constitution as an organic 'tree' that should not be mechanistically altered.
- This conservative mindset delayed systemic reform despite long‑term anachronisms in representation.
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.