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The Supporters of the Working Man, 1859
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The Supporters of the Working Man, 1859
The Supporters of the Working Man, 1859. Disraeli introduced his Reform Bill to the House early in 1859. However, because it was seen as a blatant attempt to conjure up extra Conservative votes, and was too obviously drafted to favour Conservative party interest, opposition groups combined to defeat the Bill in March 1859. One of the main reasons, though, for Lord John Russells opposition to the Bill was that, he said, it did not allow for a readjustment of the franchise to provide for a sufficient extension of the suffrage in the cities and boroughs. Mr Punch suggested that much of the support for the enfranchisement of the working man was simply words. Therefore, this cartoon shows the working man supporting three of the main representatives of the reform process, (l-r) Palmerston, Russell and John Bright, rather than being supported by them. From Punch, or the London Charivari, April 9, 1859
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Media ID 14829257
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1st Earl Russell Of Kingston Russell Acrobat Apron Balancing Balancing Act Beaconsfield Benjamin Benjamin Disraeli Carpenter Class Disraeli Dizzy Earl Of Beaconsfield Famous People Henry John Temple Heritage Image Partnership John Russell Lord Lord Beaconsfield Lord John Lord John Russell Lord Palmerston Lord Russell Palmerston Reform Russell Social Class Suffrage Support Supporter Supporting Viscount Hughendon Of Hughendon Working Class Metaphor
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This engraving, titled "The Supporters of the Working Man, 1859" captures a significant moment in British political history. Created by Benjamin Disraeli, John Bright, Lord John Russell, and Lord Palmerston, this print reflects the complex dynamics surrounding the Reform Bill of 1859. Disraeli's proposed bill aimed to secure more Conservative votes but was met with opposition due to its blatant favoritism towards conservative interests. One key critic was Lord John Russell who argued that the bill failed to extend suffrage adequately in cities and boroughs. This cartoon from Punch magazine satirically suggests that much of the support for enfranchising working-class individuals was merely empty rhetoric. In this image, we see three prominent figures representing different aspects of reform: Palmerston, Russell, and Bright. However, instead of these politicians supporting the working man as they claimed to do so fervently in their speeches and campaigns; it is depicted as if it were a balancing act where the working man supports them. This caricature highlights the disparity between words spoken by politicians advocating for workers' rights and their actual actions or lack thereof. It serves as a reminder that true support for social change requires more than just hollow promises – it necessitates genuine action on behalf of those in power. As an artifact from the 19th century political landscape, this print provides valuable insight into both historical events and societal attitudes towards class struggle during this period.
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