1st Edition

Documents on the Nineteenth Century United Kingdom Constitution Volume II: People, Parties and Politicians

Edited By Andrew Blick Copyright 2023

    This volume covers the interaction of society – the people, groups and organisations that made it up – with the constitution. It includes documents generated by working class and middle-class reform campaigners; advocates of votes for women; and people of diverse outlooks on matters of religious faith. The volume presents accounts of efforts by the authorities to subdue or resist dissent. It contains documents produced by senior politicians depicting their engagement with the constitution. It also includes evidence pertaining to the rise of mass political parties and other organisations with a role in the operation of the constitution.

    Volume II: People, Parties and Politicians

    General Introduction

    Volume 2 Introduction

    Part 1. Perspectives

    1. Mary Woolstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

    2. Lord Byron, ‘Framework Bill’

    3. Alfred Tennyson, ‘You Ask Me Why, Tho’ Ill at East’

    4. Karl Marx, ‘The British Constitution’

    5. Benjamin Disraeli, speech at Crystal Palace, 24 June 1872

    6. William Morris, ‘Concerning Government’

    7. J. A. Hobson, ‘The Crisis of Liberalism: New Issues of Democracy’

    Part 2. Campaigns and groups

    8. Society for Constitutional Information

    9. The London Corresponding Society’s Regulations

    10. Percy Bysshe Shelley, ‘Masque of Anarchy’,

    11. Thomas Duncombe, ‘The People’s Charter – Petition’

    12. Address of the Committee to the People of England, Administrative Reform Association

    13. Charles Watts, ‘Secularism in its Various Relations’

    14. Christabel Pankhurst, ‘The Militant Methods of the NWSPU’

    15. Chrystal Macmillan, ‘The Struggle for Political Liberty’

    Part 3. Representation

    16. Admission of Baron de Rothschild

    17. Sir Mancherjee Bhownaggree, ‘Indian Taxation’

    18. Viscountess (Nancy) Astor, ‘Liquor Traffic (Restrictions)’

    19. Margaret Wintringham, ‘Royal Parks and Pleasure Gardens’

    20. Shapurji Saklatvala, ‘Debate on the Address’

    21. Margaret Bondfield, ‘Debate on the Address’

    22. Eleanor Rathbone, ‘Housing (Revision of Contributions) Bill’

    23. Marion Phillips, ‘Annual Holiday Bill’

    Part 4. Rights and freedoms

    24. Charles James Fox, ‘Religious Liberty’,

    25. A Habeas Corpus Suspension Act, 1794

    26. The Case of Wolf Tone,

    27. Combination Act 1800

    28. Richard Sheridan, ‘Standing Order for the Exclusion of Strangers’

    29. Sir Samuel Romilly, ‘Habeas Corpus Suspension Bill’

    30. Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts 1828

    31. Roman Catholic Emancipation Act, 1829

    32. Edward Lytton Bulwer, ‘Newspaper Stamp Duties’

    33. Charles Bradlaugh, ‘Public Meetings in the Metropolis’

    34. (Industrial action) Taff Vale Case, decision of Mr. Justice Farewell

    35. Aliens Act, 1905

    36. Lord Loreburn, ‘Trade Disputes Bill’

    37. Cinematograph Act, 1909

    38. Official Secrets Act, 1911

    39. Defence of the Realm Act, 1914

    40. Emergency Powers Act, 1920

    41. Report of the Broadcasting Committee

    42. Ellen Wilkinson, ‘Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Bill’

    Index

    Biography

    Professor Andrew Blick is Head of the Department of Political Economy and Professor of Politics and Contemporary History at Kings College London, UK.