Book review

With her ability to present history as breaking news, Antonia Fraser’s previous historic books have been real page turners. The latest, Perilous question, is no exception. I found myself reading on into the late hours unable to put it down even though in the back of my mind I was well aware of how things would pan out.

The story is of the Great Reform Bill of 1832. While England had a parliament with Lower and Upper houses, at representing around two percent of the population it was far from democratic. Only males who owned freehold property valued at more than ten pounds had a vote – ten pounds would be four year’s wages for most families. Many constituencies (known as Rotten Boroughs) did not even exist the seats being purchased rather than elected. Neither were members paid, only the rich could afford to be a member of Parliament.

The Industrial Revolution brought significant demographic changes to England. Huge industrial cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Bradford sprung up in the Midlands. However due to the area’s previous sparse population there was no representation in Parliament. This did not sit well with the newly rich, and powerful, Midlands industrialists.

Into the mix went the advent of newspapers which in the Midlands were fiery publications urging workers to assert their rights. At threepence they were expensive (the average wage was ten pence a week) but they were passed around. Parliament members became alarmed and slapped a four pence a copy tax to further raise the affordability level.

Parliament had evolved into two parties, the Whigs and the Tories and by 1830 the Whigs had gained a slender power in the Lower House. Led by Charles the Second Earl Grey they proposed sweeping changes which included deleting fifty Rotten Boroughs,, reducing the current six hundred and fifty members, easing the suffrage requirements, creating an official roll of electors and pegging back the seven year parliamentary term.

These were strenuously opposed by the Tories under Baron Henry Brougham. The debate was long and vindictive with the Bill eventually passing at 5am on the third day of continuous debate. However the Upper house was a different story, here the Tories under the Duke of Wellington, supported by the twenty Anglican Bishops, had the numbers.

The Whig’s Upper House Leader, Sir Robert Peel either had to sway the Bishops to change the stance or convince the King, William 1V, to create enough new peers to give him a majority. The elderly king, previously the amiable Duke of Clarence, had been newly appointed on the death of George 1V who had left no legal heirs. William was right out of his depth.

The book covers three tumultuous years of plotting, bribes, back room deals, and threats. Along with acrimonious debates, with and seeming libellous statements, which went on for days making modern day parliamentarians look like pussy cats by contrast.

To tell more would spoil this thoroughly enjoyable book. If you enjoy history or politics – or a well written jolly good story, this is one for you.