The road to democracy in Britain has been long and troubled – and the Great Reform Bill of 1832 was one of the greatest battles
Many in Britain take our democracy for granted, not appreciating how hard to was to win and how long the battles took. It is no wonder that countries like Afghanistan and Iraq find that creating a democracy from scratch is exceptionally difficult.
I have just finished an immensely readable account of the extended political campaigning and debating that, on the third attempt, led to the passing of the Great Reform Bill of 1832. You can read my review here.