The Great Reform Act Crisis

In 1830 some of the Tories wanted to change the Electoral system but Tory Prime Minister Arthur Wellesley advocated against it. The aftermath of that were riots breaking out in Bristol and were quoted as the worse that England had seen in the 19th century. However, in 1832 when the Whigs were in control of the House of Commons, Whig Prime Minister Lord Grey announced the new plan for the Great Reform Act.

The Great Reform Act was designed to give more seats to the counties and less to the wealthy. For example, 65 seats were awarded to the counties. 44 seats were distributed to 22 larger towns including Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and the new London metropolitan districts. 21 smaller towns were given one MP each, Scotland was awarded 8 extra seats. Ireland was given 5 extra seats.

It's important to notate this because the Great Reform Act gave more power to the people and it gave less weathly people a voice about what would happen in their lives.

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