Why was reform needed?
Find out about the fight to extend and reform British democracy.
Unfairness
In 1830 most of the British population was still excluded from voting, so they had no influence over members of Parliament (MPs) making the laws that affected their lives.
Corruption
MPs were from Britain's richest families and represented towns and boroughs where they had major control. Bribery was rife. Voting took place publicly so even those with the vote could be bullied into voting in a certain way. Working-class people worked for and often lived in property owned by their MP, but still had no say.
Distribution of power
There were too many constituencies in rural areas and not enough in industrial towns and cities where more people lived.
Revolution
By 1832 people from the middle and working classes had started to form political groups in most of the major industrial areas. Working-class people were unhappy because of their working conditions and low wages. MPs became scared that a revolution might occur in Britain (as it had in France) and that the working class would execute the nobility. Giving people the vote was seen as a way to prevent revolution.