Ideas of the Liberal Party: Perceptions, Agendas and Liberal Politics in the House of Commons, 1832–1852

In 1832, parliament passed a law intended to transform the British electoral system. To this day, historians argue over the ways the Great Reform Act shaped the nature of British politics and power in the decades following its passage.  Ideas of the Liberal Party argues that the group of non–conservative MPs in the House of Commons gradually began to consider themselves part of a Liberal Party, based largely on conceptions that such a party existed between 1832 and 1852, and that it was the best political reflection of early– to mid–nineteenth century liberalism. Noted historian Joseph Coohill backs his claim through a close examination of previously neglected source material, most significantly the manuscript collections of backbench MPs, and by utilizing  traditional and mundane political sources in innovative ways. His result is a fresh and insightful analysis of nineteenth century politics, one that considers the political middle rank rather than cabinet members, concentrates on conceptions of party rather than on the mechanics of party, and  reveals  how  this early Liberal Party history laidthe groundwork for the successes of the Gladstonian Liberal Party later in the century. Utilizing an innovative approach,  Ideas of the Liberal Party   offers original insights into the emergence and development of Britain′s liberal party.

Acknowledgments

Notes on the Text

Abbreviations

List of Figures and Tables

Introduction       

The Self–Perception, Construction and Presentation of a Liberal Party and a Liberal Politics in the House of Commons 1832–52                

1: Liberal Terms and Liberal Labels           

2: Liberal Politics in the Constituencies and the House of Commons             

3: Liberal Party Control  

4: The Liberal Brigade, the Speakership and Lichfield House:Ideas of Co–operation among Liberal Groups in 1835         

Liberal Agendas in Conflict and Consensus: Ideas, Issues, Language and Behaviour among Liberal Party MPs 1832–52     

5: Appropriation and the Formation of the Parliamentary Liberal Party       

6: Symbolism and Responsibility: Church Rates and Expectations of the Liberal Party          

7: Irish Religion in British Politics: The Maynooth Difficulties for Liberal Party MPs               

8: Free Trade Agendas: The Construction of an Article of Faith, 1837–50      

Conclusion         

Bibliography      

Index    

Joseph Coohill  is Assistant Professor of History at Duquesne University, where he teaches British and World History. He gained his doctoral degree in Modern British History at Oxford University and his current research focuses on broad aspects of political history during the Age of Reform.