The Transformation and Fortunes of the Conservative Party (1834-1846)

Formation of the Conservative Party (1834)

The Conservative Party emerged in 1834 from the Tory Party after Robert Peel’s Tamworth Manifesto, which marked a significant shift in the party’s ideologies.
Robert Peel’s Tamworth Manifesto marked the birth of modern Conservatism by accepting the principle of reform, but advocating change to be gradual and cautious.
The party’s main aim became to defend the established institutions of society and to maintain stability and order, while accepting moderate reforms.

Achievements and Failures under Robert Peel’s Leadership (1834-1846)

As an effective leader, Robert Peel played an integral role in establishing the party’s principles and structure, as well as in gaining significant electoral success in the mid-1840s.
Peel’s era was marked by notable achievements including the Factory Act 1844 which limited the hours of work for women and children, and established a system of factory inspection.
Under Peel’s leadership, the party introduced the first modern police force, The Metropolitan Police in London, earning him the nickname “The Father of Modern Policing”.
Peel also implemented the Income Tax as a temporary measure to deal with the national debt, a notable reform lowered middle-class taxes while ensuring government income.
However, rifts began to appear in the party because of Peel’s attempt to repeal the Corn Laws in 1846, a policy that divided his party.
The Repeal of the Corn Laws aimed to lower the price of bread and stimulate free trade but faced opposition from within the party as it threatened the agricultural interest.

The Split of the Conservative Party (1846)

The disagreement over the Corn Laws led to the split of the Conservative Party, with the majority of MPs voting against the repeal.
As a result, the party was out of power for most of the mid-19th century, marking a challenging period in party’s history.
This internal split highlighted the struggle within the Conservative Party to balance protection for traditional interests with the demand for reform and adaptation to changing circumstances.

Impact of the Party Split

The Party split also symbolised the shift in power from the landed aristocracy to the industrial middle class, a transformation that would shape British politics throughout the 19th century.
Despite the party’s split, many of the moderate conservative reforms introduced under Peel’s leadership proved to be long-lasting and influential in shaping future political discourse in Britain.