From the beginning of this reign it was evident that the great
question which must soon come up for settlement was that of
parliamentary representation. Large numbers of the people of England
had now no voice in the government. This unfortunate state of things
was chiefly the result of the great changes which had taken place in
the growth of the population of the Midlands (or the central portion
of England) and the North (S563).
Since the introduction of steam (S563) the rapid increase of
manufactures and commerce had built up Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield,
Manchester, and other large towns in the iron, coal, pottery and
manufacturing districts. (See Industrial Map of England, p.10.) These
important towns could not send a member to Parliament; while, on the
other hand, many places in the south of England which did send members
had long ceased to be of any importance. Furthermore, the
representation was of the most haphazard description. In one section
no one could vote except substantial property holders, in another none
but town officers, while in a third every man who had a tenement big
enough to boil a pot in, and hence called a "Pot-walloper," possessed
the right.
To this singular state of things the nation had long been
indifferent. During the Middle Ages the inhavitants often had no
desire either to go to Parliament themselves or to send others. The
expense of the journey was great, the compensation was small, and
unless some important matter of special interest to the people was at
stake, they preferred to stay at home. On this account it was often
almost as difficult for the sheriff to get a distant county member up
to the House of Commons in London as it would have been to carry him
there a prisoner to be tried for his life.
Now, however, everything was changed; the rise of political parties
(S479), the constant and heavy taxation, the jealousy of the increase
of royal authority, the influence and honor of the position of a
Parliamentary representative, all conspired to make men eager to
obtain their full share in the management of the government.
This new interest had begun as far back as the civil wars of the
seventeenth century, and when Cromwell came to power he effected many
much-needed reforms. But after the restoration of the Stuarts (S467),
the Protector's wise measures were repealed or neglected. Then the
old order, or rather disorder, again asserted itself, and in many
cases matters became worse than ever.