Political Compass: Mid-19th Century Edition (1829-1867)

Are you a reactionary Tory ultra who hates modernity, anyone who isn't an Anglican, and railways? Or perhaps you are an effete Peelite, combining all the joys of technocratic liberal conservatism with rampant treachery and free-trade sympathies? Are you roistering randy old Palmerston, or sober and sincere Cobden? Where DO you stand on the Maynooth Grant, or the Factory Acts?

Find out as you enter the crazy world of British politics from Catholic Emancipation to the 2nd Reform Act. We have Corn Laws (well, until 1846), we have Irish people constantly making trouble (though so would you if you were that hungry), we have enough parliamentary reform proposals to make you dizzy with confusion. From fancy franchises to Factory Acts, we have all the issues and history from circa 1829-1867 you could desire. Enjoy the quiz!

Created by: Capel Lofft

Do you support the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 (which allowed Roman Catholics to vote, take up public office and become MPs on the same basis as Anglicans, among other things)?
- Yes, because I fear civil strife from the Irish unless it is passed
- Yes, because I have a principled commitment to religious pluralism
- Whether or not middle class Catholics can vote is not a major concern - let us working classes vote!
- No, because the House of Commons is the lay element of convocation, with power over the liturgy of the Church of England. It makes no sense for any non-Anglican to be able to vote or sit in parliament.
- NO! Down with the Papists! NO SURRENDER
- Frankly, who cares. I'm too busy seducing the Queen's serving wenches to care
Do you support the passage of the 1832 'Great' Reform Act (which gave parliamentary representation to many previously unrepresented areas, increased the franchise by a very modest amount and abolished many rotten boroughs)?
- Well I suppose so, but it goes NOWHERE near far enough and still leaves us working masses without political rights.
- Yes, it's a sensible compromise
- Yes, but only if this is the final settlement of the constitution. Probably.
- No then Yes - I have the firmness of principle of your average liberal Tory
- No, but once it's done it's done.
- No. A virtuous Christian elite can reform the state and help the poor without reform.
- NO. NEVER. THE MOB IS AT THE DOOR! WHERE WILL IT END?
Do you support the Poor Law Reform Act of 1834 (which introduced workhouses and the principle that they should provide only the barest of subsistence for the poor, while abolishing outdoor relief)?
- No. It's class legislation that suits the penny-pinching rate payers and starves the poor
- Yes. Why should rate-payers support the lazy? It's the only rational way.
- Yes. These political economy chaps tell us it's the right thing to do, haven't looked into it much myself
- Yes. The poor must be disciplined and educated to become sober and thrifty like us!
- No. It will threaten civil order! Outdoor relief kept the poor quiet.
- No, any change is wrong and anything these damned Whigs propose is bound to be more trouble than it's worth.
- No. It is against the teachings of Christ, and will split up families. It is cruel. Our privileges also bring responsibilities to the poorer classes.
Do you support the People's Charter, which advocates universal manhood suffrage, the secret ballot, equalisation of parliamentary constituencies, payment for MPs, abolition of the property requirement for MPs and annual parliaments?
- YES. It is the only way to ensure that all men, rich and poor, have a say in how they are governed. Justice demands it.
- Mostly, but it does go a bit far. Steady as she goes!
- Far, far too radical. I might support minor additions to the franchise and a bit of tinkering, but not this.
- No, but some day us Tories will have to face up to the coming democratic age. We should support less ambitious reform and make it work in our interests.
- You must be joking. What are these plebs going to want next? Tell them to wave the flag and be grateful
- Splutter splutter splutter, do you want us to be MURDERED IN OUR BEDS, YOU JACOBIN!
- No, but the pain and despair of the Chartists is understandable and a product of the elite ignoring its responsibilities. We have to help the poor to forestall this cri de coeur
Do you support increasing the grant to the Maynooth College, a Roman Catholic seminary in Ireland?
- Yes, it is a sensible, pragmatic measure that will help to improve relations with the Irish Catholics without giving away anything important.
- NO! I'd rather lose my head than forget that I am a PROTESTANT
- No! This will undermine the principal of Anglican hegemony.
- Yes. I believe in religious pluralism and toleration.
- While I can barely feed my family, of what concern is this to me?
- No. The state should not fund any religion.
Do you support repealing the Corn Laws (tariffs on imported corn imposed on a sliding scale according to the price)?
- Yes. Reluctantly, I have come to the conclusion that we have no other option, especially in light of the Irish famine
- Yes, absolutely. It's a racket designed to protect Tory landlords. Cheaper bread is crucial. Free trade now!
- Could we reduce the tariffs to a small fixed duty as a compromise?
- Hmmm. Yes, I suppose, but I fear the factory bosses will use the cheaper cost of food as an excuse to drive down wages...
- No, we Tories made a pledge to our supporters and we must stick by them, though I fear it will be tricky to restore protection in the future
- No. As a matter of national security it's crucial to protect our food supply. This means protecting our farmers
- OVER MY DEAD BODY. WHERE'S MY HORSEWHIP MARJORIE, I AM GOING TO GIVE THAT TRAITOR PEEL THE THRASHING HE DESERVES.
- No. It's a ploy by the factory bosses to drive down wages. Though I am torn because the poor do need cheaper bread...
Do you support greater emergency powers to put down Irish agitation in face of the Great Famine and the agitation of Irish nationalists?
- Yes. We'll repeal the Corn Laws to help the Irish, but law and order must be maintained.
- No - freedom for Ireland! Tenant right not British might!
- This particular coercion bill goes a bit too far dear boy.
- Normally I'd say yes, but if opposing it embarrasses Peel I might be tempted to reconsider...
- Yes. Shut up you Fenian troublemakers and work my land, Papist peasants
What is your view on the Factory Acts, legislation designed to restrict the hours worked in factories and mills by women and children?
- I resolutely oppose any restriction on the freedom of anyone of any age to work as many hours as they want. It will simply make British industry uncompetitive
- I suppose some modest legislation to restrict the worst abuses and limit children's working hours to 12 hours a day is ok, but any more than that is undue interference.
- I passionately support the 10 Hours Bill, effective enforcement to ensure mill owners don't bend the rules, and education for these children, at the very least. It is our Christian and paternalistic duty to oppose the abuses in these 'Dark Satanic Mills'.
- I will pretend to support restrictions, while ensuring that they are littered with loopholes. I mean, we need these dreadful men in trade to support us.
- I will support anything that prevents the country being taken over by these vulgar Liberal industrialists.
- Ten Hours Bill now! Also, maybe we might want to consider, you know, protecting adult workers too?
What are your views on foreign policy?
- Free trade will secure perpetual peace between nations, rendering empire and war pointless
- We must maintain the balance of power in Europe and protect British interests at the point of a gunboat if necessary. We have no permanent allies, only permanent interests.
- If working men get the vote, there will be fewer wars, as we are the poor sods who have to fight them.
- Build up power through financial strength, try to avoid wars at all costs, and work through the Concert of Europe to keep the peace. Make sure the Ottoman Empire is upheld as a buffer against Russia.
- Abroad? Horrible place. Don't hold with it personally. Leave the foreigners to get on with it in peace.
- What Palmerston said, except without the balls to back it up. Bluster, essentially.
Do you support the 1867 Reform Act (which granted the vote to all male householders in the boroughs as well as lodgers who paid rent of £10 a year or more, expanding the franchise by about a million, thereby doubling it)?
- Yes, although it falls a long way short of the radical reforms we need. One man, one vote!
- It is a despicable piece of opportunism by Disraeli. He stole our clothes, the tricky little sod!
- No! Never! I always knew that Disraeli chap was not one of us. He's almost as bad as Peel.
- Yes. We stole a march on the Liberals! More importantly, if we can't stop the tide of democracy, we need to make sure it flows our way. Queen, Church and Country can be the rallying cry of lower class popular conservatism!
- It only happened because I wasn't alive to stop it. Those pesky Radicals wouldn't dare while I led the Liberal Party.
- If only we could make the elite virtuous and Christian again and make sure this kind of thing wasn't necessary....

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