William IV by John Van Der Kiste

Author:John Van Der Kiste
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Royalty
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2022-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Reform Proposed

Shortly after Earl Grey took office in November 1830, a committee of four was established. It comprised two cabinet ministers, the Earl of Durham, Lord Privy Seal (and husband of Grey’s eldest daughter), and Sir James Graham, First Lord of the Admiralty, as well as two senior Whigs, Lord John Russell, Paymaster of the Forces, and Viscount Duncannon. Although the latter was not yet a minister, he was chosen partly for his proven ability to help organise elections, partly because he was a friend of Daniel O’Connell, who was recognised as the champion of Ireland’s Roman Catholic majority in the first half of the nineteenth century and whose support would be needed, and also partly on account of his detailed knowledge of Irish matters. He was appointed chairman, and all four met at his house in Cleveland Row, where they received regular deputations seeking their views on what needed to be done, and collaborating on a measure of parliamentary reform that culminated in the Representation of the People Act. This would increase the franchise, eliminate the most glaring anomalies in representation, and take measures to correct abuses and fraud in the election of members of parliament. The aim was to satisfy public opinion, while still maintaining the essential character of the Constitution.

Sir Herbert Taylor was anxious to reassure Grey that the king was uneasy about the impending proceedings in parliament, and not surprised that his prime minister was approaching it with dread. His Majesty was satisfied that nobody could be ‘more strongly opposed in sentiment, in principle, in judgement, and firm solicitude for the preservation of the constitutional monarchy of this country, and for its welfare and security, against the wild and mischievous projects of the Radicals.’ He had total confidence in Grey, and was anxious not to embarrass him ‘by objections which can be considered frivolous or captious’.1

Grey was relieved but not completely satisfied. He suspected that the king was still surrounded by a number of diehard Tory adherents, intent on trying to convince him that Whig proposals would be ill-conceived and dangerous, and who would not hesitate to pass mischievous gossip to the press in the interests of frustrating any further progress towards reform. When Grey complained that members of the household were doing so, Taylor assured him that Their Majesties were ‘accessible at all hours’, the king saw several people throughout the day, ‘and converses freely with them on subjects on which they may give him information’, but he never conversed with them on any matter that might be the subject of government or official information. He forbade any discussion on politics at dinner or evening parties, and he never spoke about them with the queen. As time would show, the last statement was not accurate, and Queen Adelaide’s Tory prejudices would ultimately do the king’s reputation for impartiality no good at all, as did those of the Duke of Gloucester and the FitzClarences.

Despite everything, Grey was slightly apprehensive when the time came for him to visit the king at Brighton and propose the reform draft.

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