demands for parlimentary reform before 1832

Question 1

What were the problems with the pre-1832 parliamentary system?

Answer 1

• the vast majority of men and no women could vote
• unfair representation
  -no uniformity (unfair throughout)
  -open ballot

Question 2

Why did demand increase for parliamentary reform?

Answer 2

• more middle class businessmen and manufactures that wanted fair representation as the system benefited landowners
• working class began to believe that economic benefits would come as a result of political change
• sudden slum in economy in 1829 hitting agriculture and industry lead to farming riots such as the swing riots in June 1830 which convinced Whigs that reform would be needed to avoid revolution
• Thomas Attwood founded to Birmingham Political Union (BPU) in 1830 to unite the middle and working classes