The Tories in opposition and government 1832-46 Flashcards
What happened to the Tories between 1832-41?
They remained in opposition for most of the decade but started to recover their position post 1834
What does Richard Brown attribute this recovery to?
Their ‘cohesiveness in opposition’ which was in sharp contrast to the ‘problems which beset the Whigs’
What was the influence of Peel on party management?
He did not manage it directly but he did have an influence
What was the influence of Peel on party management?
He did not manage it directly but he did have an influence on its direction
Who was this improved organisation mostly the work of?
Francis Bonham, Tory election manager in 1832, appointed by Peel in 1834
What did the Tories make better use of than the Whigs?
The system of parliamentary whips - up until that time they had only been used by the party of government
What was the benefit of the Tories holding more meetings of party members?
They helped raise the levels of party consciousness and instil a greater sense of loyalty to party and leader
What was the consequence of this party solidarity being created?
Local conservative party organisations began to crop up, encouraging the registration of possible conservative electors and organised electoral campaigns. A Tory network built up across the country where support became strong
Who was the Tories’ strong opposition leader?
Robert Peel, who established his authority over Tory MPs in the commons
What does Hilton attribute their recovery to?
Peel’s willingness to lead the party
Why did Peel keep his distance from the Ultra Tories?
Because they still had not forgiven him over his support of CEV
Why did Peel keep his distance from the Ultra Tories?
Because they still had not forgiven him over his support of CE
Explain Peel’s system of constructive opposition
Rather than opposing every Whig measure for the sake of it, he used his influence to get certain Whig measures through. This clever tactic was referred to as ‘government in opposition’ and it unnerved the Whigs
What did Peel attempt to do?
Encourage moderate Whigs, like Lord Stanley and James Graham, into the Tory ranks
What did Peel attempt to do?
Encourage moderate Whigs, like Lord Stanley and James Graham, into the Tory ranks
Why were Graham and Stanley unhappy in the Whig party?
They were uncomfortable with the radical influence within the party and the proposed appropriation, which would weaken the position of the Anglican Church in Ireland
Define appropriation
Refers the Whig attempts to reform the established Irish Church, whose dominant position was resented by the peasantry, by taking the surplus of church income and redistributing it for secular purposes
What was the consequence of the Lichfield House Pact?
It increased Whig dependency on the radicals and Irish MPs, further alienating Stanley and Graham to the point that they would both accept posts in Peel’s government in 1841
What does Conservative party transformation centre around?
Peel’s Tamworth manifesto, which he delivered in Dec 1834 at the start of his tenure in office, after the dismissal of Melbourne by the King
What did Peel think about the GRA?
He thought that it would be counter productive for the party to deny it and he accepted it as a ‘final and irrevocable solution to the constitutional question’, although he underlined the need to preserve British institutions
What did Peel think was the best way of preserving the traditional institutions of church and state?
Moderate reform
What did he think it was necessary to embrace?
The changes that occured with industrialisation - a developing urban society, a changing economy and new political demands
Who did he think it was important to appeal to?
The new broader electorate, rather than denying their existence, particularly the new property owning middle classes
What did the newly enfranchised political classes want?
Stability, good government and recognition of their national contribution and influence
Why was the Tamworth Manifesto such an important political turning point?
It broke political convention, as manifestos were previously just policy statements made to the cabinet, but this was made public through the press and intended for a national audience. Following this, the Tory party began to refer to itself as the conservative party
What does Richard Brown say about conservative recovery?
‘The transformation of the conservatives was largely, though not exclusively, the result of better organisation’
What does Richard Brown say had happened by 1837?
There were several hundred conservative associations, demonstrating that the conservative revival had a popular base and was more than just a reassertion of authority by conservative landowners
What does Ian Newbould say about constructive opposition?
That the Whigs governed in tacit alliance with Peel in order to weaken the pull of radicalism
Why does Newbould think that Pitt was not actually that successful
He was unable to convince his followers of the need for moderation and therefore had to fight the 1841 election as the defender of upper class privilege. What triumphed in this election was not Peel’s principles, but those aspects of Toryism he looked to subvert in his Tamworth Manifesto
When did Peel become PM for the first time?
10/12/1834
How long was Peel PM?
100 days
Why was this?
He was forced out by constant Whig opposition, angry at William IV’s unconstitutional behaviour and dismissing Melbourne’s majority government on a whim
Why is it wrong to judge Peel harshly due to his short tenure?
Because many historians have commented favourably on his achievement
What was the single main achievement of the Peel government
Setting up the Ecclesiastical Commission
Why was this not impacted by Peel’s short ministry?
Its recommendations were adopted by the Whigs when they returned the office
Why was this not impacted by Peel’s short ministry?
Its recommendations were adopted by the Whigs when they returned to office
What did this reform do?
Ironed out anomalies and abuses within the Anglican Church, strengthening it against radical and nonconformist calls for its disestablishment
What happened at the 1841 GE?
The Whigs were a spent force and the conservatives won decisively
What does Newbould say about why Peel won in 1841?
He was able to regain the support of the ultras due to their desire for the corn laws and established church to be protected
What does Gash attribute the victory to?
Through the new urban voters putting their faith in Peel’s programme
List the problems Peel faced upon coming to power
- Chartist unrest, which led to high unemployment, wage reduction and widespread distress
- Difficulties in Ireland with O’Connell and the National Repeal Association
- Calls to balance the budget following Whig deficits
- Responsibility to continue and maintain the Whig social reforms
- The social effects of the 1841-2 economic slump
How did Peel respond to these issues?
He took a firm line and arrested troublemakers in order to ease the agitation
What did Peel do instead of introducing reform?
He tried to stimulate trade and increase prosperity in which the working classes could take a share
What did some conservatives think was a better way of helping the working class?
Active reform to improve their living and working conditions
Where can Peel be seen as going along with these conservatives?
With the 1844 Mines Act
What did the act do?
Halted underground labour for women and children?
What did the act do?
Halted underground labour for women and children
Why did the act not include men?
Because it was believed that reducing their working hours would harm the economy
How were Peel’s financial reforms received?
They approved of by the majority of the party
What did Peel manage to tackle?
The major issues facing the government
What did Peel decide to do in 1846?
Repeal the corn laws
What still existed within the party despite this?
Underlying tensions within the party to the extent that party members were expected to toe the party line
Why did Peel decide to this?
In response to the Irish famine
What did this decision test?
The loyalty of the conservative MPs
How did Peel justify this decision?
He said that he was acting in the best interests of the majority and upon the principles of ‘equity and justice’
What were the two main consequences of the repeal of the corn laws?
- It split the party
- Peel was defeated shortly afterwards and resigned
Why can the repeal of the corn laws be seen as a poor decision?
Because Peel alienated his followers and lost their
Why can the repeal of the corn laws be seen as a good decision?
Because he managed to persuade parliament of something that he agreed with out of principle
When was the conservative party founded?
1834
Why was party management a mixed bag for Peel?
- He was poor at managing his party members
- He maintained some loyalty, as several of his cabinet ministers resigned with him
What did Peel manage to tackle?
The major issues facing the government
What was the benefit of the Tories holding more meetings of party members?
They helped raise the levels of party consciousness and instil a greater sense of loyalty to party and leader
What does Richard Brown say had happened by 1837?
There were several hundred conservative associations, demonstrating that the conservative revival had a popular base and was more than just a reassertion of authority by conservative landowners
Why is it wrong to judge Peel harshly due to his short tenure?
Because many historians have commented favourably on his achievement
What was the consequence of the Lichfield House Pact?
It increased Whig dependency on the radicals and Irish MPs, further alienating Stanley and Graham to the point that they would both accept posts in Peel’s government in 1841
What was the consequence of this party solidarity being created?
Local conservative party organisations began to crop up, encouraging the registration of possible conservative electors and organised electoral campaigns. A Tory network built up across the country where support became strong
What still existed within the party despite this?
Underlying tensions within the party to the extent that party members were expected to toe the party line
Why was this?
He was forced out by constant Whig opposition, angry at William IV’s unconstitutional behaviour and dismissing Melbourne’s majority government on a whim
What does Ian Newbould say about constructive opposition?
That the Whigs governed in tacit alliance with Peel in order to weaken the pull of radicalism
Define appropriation
Refers the Whig attempts to reform the established Irish Church, whose dominant position was resented by the peasantry, by taking the surplus of church income and redistributing it for secular purposes
Who did he think it was important to appeal to?
The new broader electorate, rather than denying their existence, particularly the new property owning middle classes
What did he think it was necessary to embrace?
The changes that occured with industrialisation - a developing urban society, a changing economy and new political demands
What was the benefit of the Tories holding more meetings of party members?
They helped raise the levels of party consciousness and instil a greater sense of loyalty to party and leader
What was the consequence of this party solidarity being created?
Local conservative party organisations began to crop up, encouraging the registration of possible conservative electors and organised electoral campaigns. A Tory network built up across the country where support became strong
Define appropriation
Refers the Whig attempts to reform the established Irish Church, whose dominant position was resented by the peasantry, by taking the surplus of church income and redistributing it for secular purposes
What was the consequence of the Lichfield House Pact?
It increased Whig dependency on the radicals and Irish MPs, further alienating Stanley and Graham to the point that they would both accept posts in Peel’s government in 1841
What did he think it was necessary to embrace?
The changes that occured with industrialisation - a developing urban society, a changing economy and new political demands
Why was this?
He was forced out by constant Whig opposition, angry at William IV’s unconstitutional behaviour and dismissing Melbourne’s majority government on a whim
What does Ian Newbould say about constructive opposition?
That the Whigs governed in tacit alliance with Peel in order to weaken the pull of radicalism
Who did he think it was important to appeal to?
The new broader electorate, rather than denying their existence, particularly the new property owning middle classes
What does Richard Brown say had happened by 1837?
There were several hundred conservative associations, demonstrating that the conservative revival had a popular base and was more than just a reassertion of authority by conservative landowners
What still existed within the party despite this?
Underlying tensions within the party to the extent that party members were expected to toe the party line
What did Peel manage to tackle?
The major issues facing the government
Why is it wrong to judge Peel harshly due to his short tenure?
Because many historians have commented favourably on his achievement
