Ideas of the Liberal Party: Perceptions, Agendas and Liberal Politics in the House of Commons, 1832-1852

In 1832, parliament passed a law intended to transform the British electoral system. To this day, historians argue over the ways the Great Reform Act shaped the nature of British politics and power in the decades following its passage. Ideas of the Liberal Party argues that the group of non-conservative MPs in the House of Commons gradually began to consider themselves part of a Liberal Party, based largely on conceptions that such a party existed between 1832 and 1852, and that it was the best political reflection of early- to mid-nineteenth century liberalism. Noted historian Joseph Coohill backs his claim through a close examination of previously neglected source material, most significantly the manuscript collections of backbench MPs, and by utilizing  traditional and mundane political sources in innovative ways. His result is a fresh and insightful analysis of nineteenth century politics, one that considers the political ‘middle rank’ rather than cabinet members, concentrates on conceptions of party rather than on the mechanics of party, and  reveals  how  this early Liberal Party history laidthe groundwork for the successes of the Gladstonian Liberal Party later in the century. Utilizing an innovative approach, Ideas of the Liberal Party  offers original insights into the emergence and development of Britain's liberal party.