Disraeli's Importance In The Second Reform Act example essay topic

Although image was vitally important to both Disraeli and the style of politics he practiced, this does not mean that he was a shallow, worthless politician. Many historians, looking at the historians implemented by Disraeli in the Conservative Party, and in government, conclude that Disraeli dressed modest, piecemeal reforms up in fancy rhetoric. In fact, Disraeli, within the constraints of party and the prevailing political climate at the time, implemented a series of reforms that together can be called 'Disraelian Conservatism'. The first accusation levelled against Disraeli was that in all his glorious speeches of the 1870's and before, little in the way of concrete policy was actually spelt out. Walton comments "The only Disraelian aspects [to social policy] were rhetorical".

Yet this view is essentially a twentieth century view of Disraeli. During the nineteenth century, leaders of parties were not expected to 'spell out' policy minutiae, but give the broad policy direction. In Disraeli's case this was "Pure air, pure water, the inspection of unhealthy habitations, the adulteration of food", an impressive list of aims for a nineteenth century politician. Whilst in opposition, it can hardly be claimed that Disraeli was 'all image, no substance'. He had taken a shattered faction comprising mainly the landed interest, and dragged it back into the main political arena.

A prolific writer, he fashioned during these years 'One Nation' Conservatism - the belief in modest reform to help bind the nation together. The fact that this stream of thought still continues to be a powerful influence within the Conservative party today, clearly shows that Disraeli left a powerful legacy. In 1872, he delivered a storm of speeches in the free trade hall in Manchester and at Crystal Palace, outlining his vision of Conservatism. During this period, Disraeli pursued a policy Sir Robert Peel had tried - expanding the Conservative's base beyond the landed, rural interest, to the working classes and the cities. This policy can hardly be called insubstantial, since it set the tone for future Conservative party leaders. Disraeli's importance in the Second Reform Act also shows why he could never be accused of being shallow.

It revolutionized the British constitution, and as Scott-Baumann commented, his policies were 'more radical than the Radicals'. During the months of debate, Disraeli consistently out-manoeuvred and tormented his 'Arch-Rival', Gladstone. He stood by the reform, even though a number of amendments stripped the Bill of its fancy 'safeguards' Disraeli had tacked on - one amendment alone increased the number of voters by 400,000! Finally, Disraeli could accomplish two main aims: thwarting the Whigs while keeping the Tories united, and pursuing his political ideas.

Many commentators, such as Blake, argue that one symptom of Disraeli's shallowness was that his reforms were opportunist - they were not part of some lifelong project. The Second Reform Act, however, vindicates Disraeli completely. He had since the early 1830's believed that the only way of making the Tory party "The National Party... The really democratic party", was through embracing the 'labour aristocracy'.

He wrote "Of all men, I think the working man should be the most conservative". Yet, despite the fact that Disraeli could not be certain this would be electorally advantageous to the Conservatives (and indeed in the short term was not), shows that his style of politics was more 'substance than image'. Disraeli's foreign policy also reveals him to be a great among British Prime Ministers, not merely a shallow image dependent politician. His style of politics was based on realpolitik, or the 'art of the possible', and this extended to his diplomacy. It formed part of his 'One Nation's tr and of thought - by binding the country to the Empire, he would bind the nation together. Thus, for the first time, the Empire was elevated to something beyond trade - he characteristically attached a romantic motion to these ideas.

He also wedded the Conservative party to the Empire, stating in 1872, Conservative policy was. ".. to maintain the institutions of the country, to uphold the Empire of England, and to elevate the condition of the people". Scott-Baumann comments "Disraeli successfully draped his party in the Union Jack and cast the Liberals in the role of un English subverters of Empire". It is to Disraeli's credit that Britain successfully prevented any conflict in the Balkans. He had prevented greater Russian expansion (a worry to all Conservatives), and satisfied some of the nationalist forces within the Balkans. Moreover, every major power emerged with a 'share of the spoils', Britain gaining Cyprus, a strategically important island in the Near East. The Treaty of Berlin resulted in thirty years of peace in one of the most politically unstable areas of Europe, for which Disraeli can take some of the credit.

The reforms of the 1874-1880 administration also show that Disraeli was a man not only of imagery, but also of substance. P R Gash points out that the 1870's social reform marked the real beginning of a lasting Conservative willingness to pursue policies of social amelioration through legislation. Considering the deep unwillingness of the Tories to countenance any further government intervention, his reforms were remarkable. Realizing that he had limited experience in social reform, he left it to those who knew best, vigorously supporting Cross, and endorsing backbench initiatives, such as the Plimsoll Act. Following Disraeli's belief in a limited remit for central government, he left many reforms to be carried out at a local level, believing this would help bind society together through local participation. For example, the 1875 Artizans' Dwelling Act, described by Disraeli as 'our chief measure' gave the municipal authorities, not central government, the power to demolish slums.

His policies were often permissive, allowing councils to choose to reform, his Sale of Food and Drugs Act being a notable example. During this period he also, through the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, legalized picketing. The Employers and Workmen Act also removed the anomaly of breaches of contract for employees being settled in a criminal court. Smith comments "The labour legislation of 1875 was a remarkable stroke", while Ward argues "Disraeli's ministry [was]... the major social reforming government of the century". Other important acts, such as the Factory Act and the Public Health Acts further improved working conditions and public health. This 'suet-pudding' legislation provided an important building block for later reforms.

Some historians argue that this legislation would have been passed by a Liberal government, and that the true facade of Disraeli is shown by the fact that after 1876 social reform stopped. Yet this phenomenon can be explained by other factors. During this period, Disraeli was both preoccupied by foreign policy, and the proceedings of Parliament were being held up by the INP. Moreover, Disraeli probably assumed that he had done all that he needed to. In 1875, he said "We have solved the long and vexatious contest between capital and labour". This he believed would "Gain and retain for the Conservatives the lasting affections of the working classes".

Disraeli played a major part in the seamless development of the Conservative tradition towards social reform - a long-lasting and impressive achievement. In conclusion, Disraeli was a politician with a supreme gift for oratory and imagery. Many historians have therefore assumed he was a shallow Prime Minister, vaunting half-baked non-Conservative reforms as his own. In fact, Disraeli has bestowed upon British politics a definite and distinct Conservative tradition - that of social reform.

He converted a party rooted in the country and aristocracy, and through imperialism and social reform, succeeded in gaining working class votes. He provided an atmosphere for the passing of legislation reflecting his long held political beliefs, and he transformed the Empire's image both at home and abroad. He can therefore truly be called one of the great British politicians of all time.