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The Reform Act, 1832
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Earl Grey, the Whigs and the passing of the Great Reform Act, 1832
1827  (Feb) A debilitating stroke forces Tory prime minister Liverpool to retire from active politics.
         Cabinet colleagues argue about a successor, ending a period of relatively stable government.
         (Apr) Canning is confirmed as prime minister. This divides the Tory party; several ministers
         who had served under Liverpool resign. Canning forms alliance with
         favourably-disposed Whigs.
         (Aug) Canning’s unexpected death causes another ministerial crisis, but Goderich
         takes over as prime minister and attempts to hold together the Canningite-Whig coalition.
1828  (Jan) Unable to impose his authority, Goderich resigns. The new government, led by
         Wellington, includes some Canningites and an effort is made to reunite Liverpool’s Tory party.
         (Feb) Facing defeat in the House of Commons, Wellington’s ministry accepts repeal of the
         Test and Corporation Acts (which had long deprived non-Anglicans of civil rights).
         Repeal measure, proposed by Whig reformer Russell, is passed with amendments in May.
         Ultra Tory MPs are offended, and Peel, the government’s chief spokesman in the Commons,
         is frustrated at his inability to control proceedings in the lower house.
         (May) Cabinet quarrel over a redistribution of parliamentary seats prompts Canningites
         to resign from Wellington’s administration. The prime minister had never trusted them
         and ultras are glad to see them gone.
         (July) Irish Catholic leader O’Connell, though ineligible, wins Clare by-election, and
         agitation in Ireland for Catholic emancipation continues to increase.
         Wellington and Peel realise that emancipation cannot be withheld for much longer
1829  (Feb) Wellington’s government proposes to grant Catholic emancipation, as pressure
         in the Commons and Ireland grows. Ultra Tories resist.
         (Apr) Catholic emancipation is passed, and the government loses much conservative support.
         Some ultra Tories decide parliamentary reform is necessary to impose greater
         control over the executive.
         (Sept) Reform mobilization in the country gathers momentum, partly because of an
         economic recession and the weaknesses of Wellington’s ministry.
         Birmingham Political Union is established, to be followed by other reform associations
         in many districts. More Whig MPs begin openly to advocate parliamentary reform.
1830  (July) A general election is called following the death of George IV and accession of William IV.
         Wellington's government is unable to strengthen its position in the Commons.
         (Nov) Wellington provokes enormous controversy with a speech against parliamentary reform.
         Ministers resign after defeat in the Commons on a civil list vote. A new coalition ministry is
         formed, led by Grey, dominated by Whigs, but including Canningites and one ultra Tory.
         The ministry commits itself to reform. ‘Swing' riots disturb English countryside,
         economic situation deteriorates further, and popular reform movement spreads.
1831  (Mar) Russell introduces the Grey government's reform bill; it narrowly passes second reading.
         (Apr) Anti-reform Tory MP Gascoyne carries amendment objecting to proposed reduction
         in the number of MPs returned in England and Wales. Ministers secure dissolution from a
         reluctant William IV and, with reform opinion growing stronger in the nation,
         Grey's government wins large majority.
         (June) A second reform bill is introduced.
         (Sept) Reform bill passed by the Commons on third reading.
         (Oct) Reform bill rejected by Tory-dominated House of Lords.
         Serious disturbances ensue, particularly in Nottingham, Derby and Bristol.
         (Dec) A third (slightly amended) reform bill is introduced in the Commons.
1832  (Jan) To ensure that the reform bill will not again be lost in the Lords, ministers oblige
         William IV to agree in principle to the creation of a sufficient number of pro-reform peers.
         But the King still insists that the best course would be to alter the reform bill and thereby
         neutralise some of its opponents.
         (Mar) Reform bill passes third reading in the Commons. Submitted to the Lords.
         (May) Tory peer Lyndhurst carries a motion against the government, postponing
         discussion of certain clauses. Grey and the cabinet resign when the King refuses
         to create 50 peers. Widespread protest and disorder intensifies the atmosphere of crisis.
         William IV recalls Grey when Wellington proves unable to form an alternative administration.
         The King also reluctantly agrees to create necessary peers.
        (June) Reform bill is finally passed in the Lords.


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