Tamworth Manifesto
Encyclopedia
The Tamworth Manifesto was a political manifesto
issued by Sir Robert Peel
in 1834 in Tamworth
, which is widely credited by historians as having laid down the principles upon which the modern British Conservative Party
is based.
In November 1834, King William IV
removed the Whig Prime Minister Lord Melbourne
and asked the Duke of Wellington
to form a ministry. Wellington was reluctant and recommended that the King choose Peel.
Perhaps owing to Wellington's endorsement, Peel intended from the start, as the historian S.J Lee tells, "to fully convince the country and electorate that there was a substantial difference between his brand of conservatism and that of his predecessor and 'old tory' Wellington."
With that in mind, on 18 December, the Tamworth Manifesto was published by the press and read around the country. Like many other manifestos in nineteenth-century British politics, it was formally an address to the electors of the leader's own constituency, but reproduced widely. Ironically, Tamworth
had no contest in 1834 as Peel was the only candidate and he was elected unopposed.
Manifesto
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related.-Etymology:...
issued by Sir Robert Peel
Robert Peel
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet was a British Conservative statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846...
in 1834 in Tamworth
Tamworth (UK Parliament constituency)
Tamworth is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- History :...
, which is widely credited by historians as having laid down the principles upon which the modern British Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
is based.
In November 1834, King William IV
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
removed the Whig Prime Minister Lord Melbourne
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, PC, FRS was a British Whig statesman who served as Home Secretary and Prime Minister . He is best known for his intense and successful mentoring of Queen Victoria, at ages 18-21, in the ways of politics...
and asked the Duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
to form a ministry. Wellington was reluctant and recommended that the King choose Peel.
Perhaps owing to Wellington's endorsement, Peel intended from the start, as the historian S.J Lee tells, "to fully convince the country and electorate that there was a substantial difference between his brand of conservatism and that of his predecessor and 'old tory' Wellington."
With that in mind, on 18 December, the Tamworth Manifesto was published by the press and read around the country. Like many other manifestos in nineteenth-century British politics, it was formally an address to the electors of the leader's own constituency, but reproduced widely. Ironically, Tamworth
Tamworth (UK Parliament constituency)
Tamworth is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- History :...
had no contest in 1834 as Peel was the only candidate and he was elected unopposed.
Peel's Aims dictated in the Tamworth Manifesto
The main aim of the manifesto was to appeal to the electorate in the new Parliament.- Peel accepted that the Reform Act 1832Reform Act 1832The Representation of the People Act 1832 was an Act of Parliament that introduced wide-ranging changes to the electoral system of England and Wales...
was "a final and irrevocable settlement of a great constitutional question". - He promised that the ConservativesConservative Party (UK)The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
would undertake a "careful review of institutions, civil and ecclesiastical". - Where there was a case for change, he promised "the correction of proved abuses and the redress of real grievances".
- Peel offered to look at the question of church reform in order to preserve the "true interests of the Established religion".
- Peel's basic message, therefore, was that the Conservatives "would reform to survive" (with reference to Norman Gash's biography of Peel).
- However, he opposed what he saw as unnecessary change, fearing "a perpetual vortex of agitation"