Sir Robert Peel
In 1845, Peel faced the most defining challenge of his career when he had attempted to repeal the Corn Laws that had been created to protect British agriculture. His urge to repeal the laws was triggered by the Irish people's desperate need for food and money, thanks to the Blight that ravaged the land. Peel's Conservative Party refused to support him, with the debate lasting for months. At last, in June 1846, the Corn Laws, which stopped Irishmen from planting corn which could be sold cheaper than potatoes, were repealed thanks to the support of the Whigs and the Radicals. Peel resigned being defeated on another bill the same day.
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Lord John Russell
Lord Russell had for been an advocate of reforming the Corn Laws for quite a long time. This eventually became the policy of the government of Lord Melbourne. When the offered changes were defeated by thirty-six votes on the 18th of May, however, 1841, the government decided to resign. The general election following shortly after resulted in Sir Robert Peel taking the role of prime minister.
Although Russell opposed to most of Sir Robert Peel's policies, he did completely support Peel's plans to alter the Corn Laws. Russell called for an utter repeal of the Corn Laws in a speech made on the 22nd of November of 1845. Peel also began to come to the same conclusion and with the support of the Whigs, he finally managed to abolish the Corn Laws. When Peel resignrd the following month, Russell was asked to create a new government. Russell's immediate problem was to sort out the potato famine happening in Ireland. He attempted to help by allotting £10 million to be spent on the public works in Ireland. Lord Russell also actively supported John Fielden in his campaign for factory reform. This ended in the passing of the Factory Act of 1847. The following year he persuaded parliament to accept the Public Health Act of his government that gave powers to the boroughs to set up local boards of health. |
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