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Reform Bill / 1832
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Reform Bill / 1832
Lord John Russell introducing the Reform Bill in the House of Lords
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Media ID 612338
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10106831
1832 Agitation Bill Introducing Reform Russell
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures a pivotal moment in British history as Lord John Russell, a prominent figure in the Whig Party, introduces the Reform Bill in the House of Lords on 22nd March 1831. The Reform Bill, also known as the First Reform Act, was a significant piece of legislation that aimed to address the issue of political representation in the United Kingdom. The political climate in Britain during the early 19th century was marked by widespread agitation for reform. The working classes, who were denied the right to vote, demanded greater representation in Parliament. The middle classes, who were also underrepresented, joined the call for reform. The agitation reached a fever pitch, culminating in the infamous Peterloo Massacre of 1819, where British forces killed and injured hundreds of peaceful protesters. Lord John Russell, a reformist, was appointed as the Prime Minister in 1834, and he made it his mission to introduce a Reform Bill. The bill sought to expand the franchise by allowing more men to vote, and it also aimed to redraw parliamentary constituencies to give more weight to urban areas. The introduction of the Reform Bill in the House of Lords was a momentous occasion. The House of Lords, composed mainly of aristocrats and bishops, was traditionally opposed to reform. The bill's passage through the House of Lords was expected to be a difficult task, and Lord John Russell knew it. He is depicted in this image, standing confidently before his peers, holding the bill in his hand. The expression on his face suggests determination and resolve. The Reform Bill eventually passed through both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and it was signed into law on 7th June 1832. The First Reform Act marked a turning point in British political history, paving the way for further reforms and the eventual expansion of the franchise.
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