Peel – The Great Reformer?

1834-35 & 1841-46

“No minister ever stood,or could stand,against public opinion.”

Peel - 1834

Peel – An Introduction…

• Prominent Conservative Politician

• Tried his hand at Farming - Helped develop the Tamworth Pig

• Son of a textiles industrialist - merchant

Tamworth Manifesto…

•December 1834

•Reorganisation of party

structure

•Outlined ideas of ‘necessary

reform’ and keeping the traditional

Tory views on Corn Laws and the Church

Conservatives

NOT Tories!

Social Reforms?• Mines Act – 1842 – Pressurised by Evangelical party members

• Factory Act - 1844 ‘moral duty’

• Bank Charter Act – 1844 – Increase investment

• Tax and Tariff Reforms – Stimulate economy and create long term social reform

Corn Law Repeal…Pressurised by Anti-Corn Law League.

In favour of ‘Free Trade’

Thought economic policies would lead to social reform in the long run

Betrayal of Party?

• Tory period principles

• Bed Chamber Crisis

• 1841 election

So, was Peel a reformer after all?

Yes No

•Passed many reform laws - Tories traditionally against reform

•Went against Wellington – Peel thought of country over party

•Progressive reformer – adapted ideas

•Used ideas of others

• Buckled under pressure – didn’t reform unless had to

•Voted against great reform

Almost a reformer…