Peel's greatest acievements between 1834-1846

Question 1

Approach to reform

Answer 1

• Peel’s flexibility and his willingness to adapt to new situation and accept the Great Reform Act contributed to the revival of the Tory party.
• He also succeeded in converting the Torries to accepting the need to be open minded about reform.

Question 2

Rebuilding party organisation

Answer 2

• Party organisation important to the success of the Cons as they gained 290 seats in the Jan election.
• Peel realised the Cons had to develop an appropriate image as a govt in waiting and that a premature grab at power would only serve to rescue the Whigs from their predicament.
• However the split of the party in 1846 shows that his so called transformation of the party in the 1830’s was at best partial.

Question 3

Financial reforms

Answer 3

• Govt deficit was £7m by 1841. Peel saw re-intro of income tax was solution as guaranteed yield of revenue. Tax on income fell to rich not poor, advantage at a time of social unrest.
• 1842 budget raised nearly £5m. Proposed drastic programme of tariff reductions, particularly on items of general consumption.
• Thought budget reforms benefit Britain, stim manufacture and commerce, encourage employment and reduce cosy of living for poor.
• Financial reform would encourage national unity and undermine political discontent.
• By 1843 govt was in much stronger financial position, had revenue surplus of over £5m, helped stim trade and drastically reduced govt deficit.
• Britain industrialising faster rate than anywhere else.
• However too narrowly focused on economic affairs.

Question 4

Repeal of Corn Laws

Answer 4

• Peel beloved Britain was heading for a double disaster, both indirectly brought about from industrialisation which could only be avoided by the repeal of the Corn Laws.
• Believed repeal would destroy platform on which radicals had been mounting agitation and give lie to the claim that Parl dominated by landed classes couldn’t legislate I interest of nation as a whole.
• Abandoned interests of church and land which won him the 1841 election.
• Ensured the Cons were out of effective power for over 30yrs.

Question 5

Tamworth manifesto

Answer 5

• Tried to appeal to u/c and m/c, highlighted progressive forward looking nature of party; aiming to appease both classes, reassured m/c “proven abuses” would be corrected.
• TM helped party move on, considers reform bill as “irrevocably settled” and opposed to anyone who disturbs it.
• However TM shows a lack of party leadership ie was criticised for making no reference to term conservative and 2ndly soon became outdated.