Widespread riots across England in 1831 pressured Parliament toward passage of the Great Reform Act of 1832.
Key Facts
- Triggering event
- Tory vote against the Second Reform Bill, October 1831
- Cities affected
- London, Leicester, Yeovil, Sherborne, Exeter, Bath, Worcester, Nottingham, Derby, Bristol
- Bristol damage estimate
- 300000 GBP
- Bristol casualties (killed/wounded)
- up to 250 persons
- Duration of Bristol riots
- 3 days
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
In October 1831, Tory members of the House of Lords voted to reject the Second Reform Bill, blocking proposed electoral reforms that had broad popular support. Anti-reform figures such as the Duke of Newcastle and judge Charles Wetherell became focal points of public anger, with Wetherell's arrival in Bristol directly triggering the city's unrest.
Civil disturbances broke out across England, ranging from demonstrations in London to full-scale riots in Nottingham, Derby, and Bristol. Targets included Nottingham Castle, private residences of anti-reform figures, and local jails. Bristol experienced the most severe violence, with large sections of the city centre burned and an estimated 250 persons killed or wounded over three days.
The scale and destruction of the riots intensified pressure on Parliament to pass electoral reform. The upheaval contributed to the political climate that led to the eventual passage of the Great Reform Act in June 1832, which began the process of modernising British parliamentary representation.
Political Outcome
Riots failed to immediately reverse the Lords' vote but accelerated passage of the Great Reform Act in 1832.
Tory-dominated House of Lords able to block electoral reform
Political pressure forced passage of the Great Reform Act (1832), expanding the franchise