John Fielden Flashcards
entered the Commons in 1832
represented northern industrial town of Oldham alongside William Cobbett
Radical in his views
Fielden had his own ideas - sat w/ Whigs in House of Commons as he thought they were more likely to support radical measures than Tories
Didn’t always vote w/ Whigs
voted against the Poor Law Amendment Bill - a Whig measure
When PL commissioners tried to implement new PL in Todmorden
Fielden threatened to close family mills unless guardians of PL unions resigned, they refused and mills closed down - threw nearly 3,000 out of work
Fielden opened mills after a week (payed workers for week they did not work)
workers attacked homes of local guardians, required troops to restore order
Despite him not being involved in riots
he refused to cooperate w/ authorities in identifying ringleaders and refused to pay poor rates
new poor law was not implemented in Todmorden until
1877 (long after Fielden’s death)
