Peel 1841-1846

Peel 1841-1846

The 1841 Election
1. Aims As A Party Leader
  1. Restore economic prosperity and to ease social unrest.
  2. Peel wanted to adopt more positive politics, widen support. Acting with a sense of firmness and moderation.
2. Attitude Towards Parliamentary Reform
  1. Conservatives believed in the need for gradual and cautious change. Prevented radical reformers destroying traditional ruling.
3. Reconstruction Of The Tory Party
  1. F. Bonham reorganised the Conservatives, established a sense of direction and leadership
4. The Tamworth Manifesto
  1. Address by Peel to constituents in Tamworth. Three issues. 1. Bid for Middle class voters 2. Reform Act settled constitutional question 3. Support of the church
  2. Seen as too liberal by some, but broadened Tory support
5. Frequent Elections
  1. Frequent elections due to people dying and general elections helped the Tory victory
6. Whigs
  1. Mistakes of the Whigs as they didn't successfully handle the economy it triggered a depression
Financial Reform
1. Budget And Income Tax (1842 and 1845)
  1. Income Tax coupled with drastic tariff reduction introduced as a temporary measures
  2. Income Tax would only tax the wealthy and encouraged employment
  3. The Budget renewed income tax, and reduced import duties
2. The Bank Charter Act 1844
  1. Aimed to create a stable financial system
  2. Banks were limited in issuing notes. Very successful measure as it placed serious restrictions on credit, making banks securer.
3. Companies Act 1844
  1. Insisted companies should be registered and produce annual accounts
  2. Aimed to place businesses on a surer foundation and improve public confidence
The Defeat Of The Ministry
1. Corn Laws
  1. Repeal Of The Corn Laws
    1. No dramatic drop in corn prices as poor harvest were throughout Europe
    2. No real impact on British farmers
    3. Trade improved
    4. No impact on Irish Famine
    5. Destroyed Peel and the Conservatives
  2. Problems with Corn Laws
    1. Prices rose due to bad harvests
    2. Bread prices were artificially high
    3. Made worse by the Irish Famine
    4. Poor harvest in England
2. Disraeli
  1. Rejected by Peel to make him a minister. Had revenge by being a harsh critic of Conservative government.
  2. Attack Peels policies. Voted against the government every time.
  3. Peel threatened to resign
3. Divisions
  1. Divisions in the Conservative party, prevented unanimous decisions. Forcing Peel to resign.
Social Reform
1. Factory Act 1844
  1. Reduced working hours for those under 13. Children under 8 banned from working in mills. Recommended safety improvements. Reduced hours for women and young people.
2. Ashley's Mines Act 1842
  1. Banned all children under 10 and all girls from working in mines.
Ireland
1. Peel's Attitude To Ireland (from 1829)
  1. Criticised corruption of Irish MPs and attitudes of the Protestant minority
  2. Devon Commission
    1. Royal Commission that made suggestions for reforms
2. The Irish Famine (1845-1846)
  1. Period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland in 1845, became a rallying point for various Irish Home Rule and United Ireland movements.
3. Catholic Repeal Association
  1. Formed by O'Connel to pressure the parliament into repealing the Act of Union. Unsuccessful as it did not have united support.
Religious Reform
1. Maynooth Bill 1845
  1. Training school for Roman Catholics priests received an annual grant of £26,000. Peel was opposed by his own party, and alienated his party.

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