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The Whigs in Power 1830-41

Despite having won the general election of that year, in November 1830 the Duke of Wellington resigned following his anti-reform speech and the Whigs took power under Earl Grey. His Home Secretary was Lord John Russell. They had stood on an election platform of 'peace, retrenchment and reform' and now they formed the government, they were expected to deliver their promises.

Grey held office until he resigned in 1834; he was succeeded by Lord Melbourne who lost office in December 1834. At that point, Sir Robert Peel formed a short ministry. In April 1835, Melbourne resumed office and the Whigs continued to form a government until they lost the general election of 1841 to Peel and the Conservatives.

The Whigs were responsible for a great deal of legislation during the period 1830-40: they passed the

• 1832 Reform Act
• 1833 Abolition of Slavery Act
• 1833 Factory Act
• 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act
• 1835 Municipal Corporations Act
• 1836 Tithe Commutation Act
• 1836 Registration Act
• 1840 Postage Act

They also had to deal with popular movements like

• the anti-Poor Law movement
• the Anti-Corn-Law League
• the Chartists
• the anti-Stamp duty campaign