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Whigs (British political party)
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==== Structure and appeal ==== By 1815, the Whigs were still far from being a "party" in the modern sense. They had no definite programme or policy and were by no means even united. Generally, they stood for reducing crown patronage, sympathy towards [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|nonconformists]], support for the interests of merchants and bankers and a leaning towards the idea of a limited reform of the voting system.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lowe |first=Norman |title=Mastering modern British history |date=2009 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-0-230-20556-7 |edition=4th |series=Palgrave master series |location=Basingstoke |page=9}}</ref> Most Whig leaders, such as [[Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey|Lord Grey]], [[Lord Grenville]], [[Lord Althorp]], William Lamb (later [[Lord Melbourne]]) and [[Lord John Russell]], were still rich landowners. The most prominent exception was [[Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux|Henry Brougham]], the talented lawyer, who had a relatively modest background.<ref>{{cite book |first=Norman |last=Lowe |title=Mastering Modern British History |edition=3rd |year=1998 |pages=9β10 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=0-333-72106-3 }}</ref> Hay argues that Whig leaders welcomed the increasing political participation of the English middle classes in the two decades after the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. The fresh support strengthened their position in Parliament. Whigs rejected the Tory appeals to governmental authority and social discipline and extended political discussion beyond Parliament. Whigs used a national network of newspapers and magazines as well as local clubs to deliver their message. The press organised petitions and debates and reported to the public on government policy, while leaders such as [[Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux|Henry Brougham]] (1778β1868) built alliances with men who lacked direct representation. This new approach to the grass roots helped to define Whiggism and opened the way for later success. Whigs thereby forced the government to recognise the role of public opinion in parliamentary debate and influenced views of representation and reform throughout the 19th century.<ref>William Anthony Hay, {{"'}}If There Is a Mob, There Is Also a People': Middle Class Politics and The Whig Revival, 1810β1830", ''Consortium on Revolutionary Europe 1750β1850: Selected Papers'' (2000), pp. 396β402.</ref>
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