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John Russell, 1st Earl Russell
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===Domestic agenda=== [[File:The Royal Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851.jpg|thumb|upright=1.59|alt=Group portrait of the Royal Commissioners of the Great Exhibition by Henry Wyndham Phillips|Russell served on the [[Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851|Royal Commission]] for the [[Great Exhibition]], which took place in 1851 while he was Prime Minister. In this group portrait of the Commissioners ''[[The Royal Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851]]'' by [[Henry Wyndham Phillips]], Russell is depicted standing behind [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Albert]] (fifth from right).]] Russell's political agenda was frequently frustrated by his lack of a reliable Commons majority. However, his government was able to secure a number of notable social reforms. In a speech to his constituents, Russell said:{{Sfn|Reid|1895|p=142}} {{Blockquote|text=You may be assured that I shall not desert in office the principles to which I adhered when they were less favourably received. I cannot indeed claim the merit either of having carried measures of Free Trade as a Minister, or of having so prepared the public mind by any exertions of mine as to convert what would have been an impracticable attempt into a certain victory. To others belong those distinctions. But I have endeavoured to do my part in this great work according to my means and convictions, first by proposing a temperate relaxation of the Corn Laws, and afterwards, when that measure has been repeatedly rejected, by declaring in favour of total repeal, and using every influence I could exert to prevent a renewal of the struggle for an object not worth the cost of conflict. The Government of this country ought to behold with an impartial eye the various portions of the community engaged in agriculture, in manufactures, and in commerce. The feeling that any of them is treated with injustice provokes ilbwill, disturbs legislation, and diverts attention from many useful and necessary reforms. Great social improvements are required; public education is manifestly imperfect; the treatment of criminals is a problem yet undecided; the sanitaiy condition of our towns and villages has been grossly neglected. Our recent discussions have laid bare the misery, the discontent, and outrages of Ireland; they are too clearly authenticated to be denied, too extensive to be treated by any but the most comprehensive means.}} Russell introduced teachers' pensions and used [[Order in Council|Orders in Council]] to make grants for teacher training. Colleges were established to prepare teachers for their roles, and graduates received additional government grants alongside their salaries. Schools that passed official inspections were also eligible for government funding, ensuring accountability and raising educational standards. In 1847, Russell implemented reforms to improve primary education in Britain based on the Melbourne government's earlier initiative of placing oversight for education grants under the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] and also by addressing systemic flaws by replacing unpaid monitors with paid pupil-teachers.{{Sfn|Reid|1895|p=159}} The [[Baths and wash houses in Britain#Regulation|Public Baths and Wash-houses Acts]] of 1847 and 1848 enabled local authorities to build municipal baths and washing facilities for the growing urban working classes. Russell was instrumental in addressing social and administrative issues in country. Russell lent his support to the passage of the [[Factories Act 1847]], which restricted the working hours of women and young persons (aged 13β18) in textile mills to 10 hours per day. The bill introduced by from notable social reformers [[Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury|Lord Shaftesbury]] and [[John Fielden]] that was well received by artisans and operatives alike. He supported reforms that provided practical relief to over 363,000 women and children employed in mills and factories, easing the burden of monotonous labor. Russell also transformed the [[Poor Law Commission]] into a ministerial department, making it accountable to Parliament through the President of the Poor Law Board which introduced regulations for workhouse management and guardian meetings, which improving control. Additionally, the growing needs of Manchester were acknowledged with the creation of the Bishopric of Manchester.{{Sfn|Reid|1895|pp=159β160}} In the aftermath of the political and social turmoil that took place during the [[Revolutions of 1848]], fears grew of a similar outcome in Britain particularly in Ireland which led to the passage of the [[Treason Felony Act 1848]] that made it illegal and punishable by [[penal labour]] speaking or writing against the Crown.{{Sfn|Reid|1895|p=157}} 1848 saw the introduction of the [[Metropolitan Commission of Sewers]] and the [[Public Health Act 1848]] ([[11 & 12 Vict.]] c. 63), by which the state assumed responsibility for sewerage, clean water supply, refuse collection and other aspects of public health across much of England and Wales.{{sfn|Walpole|1889a|pp=454-455}}<ref>Elizabeth Free & Theodore M. Brown, "The Public Health Act of 1848." ''Bulletin of the World Health Organisation'' 83(11) (November 2005)[https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/83/11/866.pdf]</ref> The act was influenced by the work of [[Edwin Chadwick|Sir Edwin Chadwick]] and [[Thomas Southwood Smith|Dr. Thomas Southwood Smith]], addressed the pressing sanitary issues in cities and towns, leading to improvements in public health and the general social conditions of the population. Previously, both Whigs and Tories had largely ignored such practical reforms, despite their clear connection to the community's health and well-being.{{Sfn|Reid|1895|p=162}} Russell's determination to extend [[free trade]] led to the repeal of the [[Navigation Acts]].{{Sfn|Reid|1895|p=198}}Following the election of [[Lionel de Rothschild]] in the 1847 general election, Russell introduced a Jewish Relief bill, which would have allowed Rothschild and other Jews to sit in the House of Commons without their having to take the explicitly Christian oath of allegiance. In 1848, the bill was passed by the House of Commons, receiving support from the Whigs and a minority of Conservatives (including future prime minister [[Benjamin Disraeli]]). However, it was twice rejected by the Tory dominated House of Lords, as was a new bill in 1851. Rothschild was re-elected in the 1852 general election following the fall of the Russell government but was unable to take his seat until the [[Jews Relief Act 1858|Jews Relief Act]] was finally passed in 1858.{{Sfn|Reid|1895|pp=198β199}}
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