Political Britain 1815-1830 History: -1815 Mad King George III on throne, but George IV acting as Regent from

1811. 1820 King George died. George IV reigned until 1830, v. unpopular; extravagant and selfish. -Tories in power since 1783, Prime Minister Lord Liverpool since 1812, good at managing the ministers in cabinet who argued. Lord Castlereagh was Foreign Secretary and leader of Tories in the commons, committed suicide in 1822. -Govt faced economic and social distress, demand for Catholic Emancipation in Ireland, worry of revolution like France. Strong measures taken to maintain law and order, little done to relieve the distress. -In 1822 now politicians meant more reforms and improvements. However in 1827 Lord Liverpool had a stroke, Tories fell apart. George Canning PM briefly in 1827, then Lord Goderich, then George IV became Duke of Wellington 1828-1830 and granted Catholic Emancipation. In 1830 Lord Grey became PM of a Whig government. Parties: -Tories: Wanted to maintain powers of monarch and Anglican Church Wanted strict laws an order to prevent revolution Opposed reform on voting More rigid group was Lord Sidmouth, Lord Castlereagh, Lord Elton, Duke of Wellington. More reforming was George Canning, Robert Peel, William Huskisson, Lord Goderich. Often rowed and divided. - Whigs (Liberals): Wanted reduction in crowns power to appoint people in important positions Sympathetic to Nonconformists Cared about merchants and bankers Vague sympathy for reform Leading Whigs (all wealthy) Lord Grey, Lord Grenville, Lord Althorp, Lord Melbourne, Lord John Russel, Henry Broughman (less wealthy). -Radicals Wanted thorough reform and improvement of conditions for working-class.

Encouraged by French Revolution (began 1789) and had only a handful of MPs in 1815 including Sir Francis Burdett and Joseph Hume. Outside parliament Henry Hunt, Major John Cartwright, Francis Place and William Cobbett leaders.

Parliamentary System -Most constituencies two members to Parliament, a county seat and borough seat. Originated in medieval times, so only towns important then had seats, not industrial towns like Leeds. -In 1831 population in UK 24 million, less than 5% could vote. In the counties all men who owned freehold property worth 40 shillings a year could vote (40-shilling freeholders), 200 shillings in Scotland. In boroughs varied: taxpayers, owned a house, owned burgages, members local council or were a freeman. No women. -Pocket boroughs where small electorate the biggest landowner or local businessman had huge influence over who got the vote (him or his nominee). This is because voters may have depended on them for land or jobs, or they may be the magistrate, or they may be bought. -Rotten boroughs- only tiny no. of people, like 10. -Elections Since 1715 Elections every 7 years and when a monarch dies(latter ended in 1867). Elections lasted days, vote showed by raise of hands (allowing people to feel pressurised), and landlords could buy votes by putting on entertainment, transporting people or putting them up. In many constituencies there was no election; the patron of a pocket borough often had no opponents or both seats went to nominees. Seats in parliament could be bought also. -However, elections had virtual representation merchants represented interests of sailors and dockworkers, landowners tenants etc, also many people looked up to their local leader. Also vast no. of people uneducated and thought dangerous to let them vote. -PMs needed the support of monarch and house of commons. Changes in policies hard people only reacted to events rather than planning, and only possible if widely supported. -Political parties not as dominant or organised until 1830s. Many MPs switched parties or were independent.

King: Chose own ministers Made major decisions on govt policy, especially foreign affairs, although at advice of ministers. Controlled the election of 30 MPs and gave titles and important posts in the army and navy to those who supported him (good way of gaining support for policies and ministers)

Parliament: King had to call parliament because parliament renewed his income each year. Parliament could force the king to dismiss a minister, so king had to choose ministers who would work in parliament. Had to be an election at least every 7 years.