Editing Reform Act 1832 (section)

===After the French Revolution===
Support for parliamentary reform plummeted after the [[French Revolution]] in 1789. Many English politicians became steadfastly opposed to any major political change. Despite this reaction, several [[Radicalism (historical)|Radical Movement]] groups were established to agitate for reform. A group of Whigs led by [[James Maitland, 8th Earl of Lauderdale]], and [[Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey|Charles Grey]] founded an organisation advocating parliamentary reform in 1792. This group, known as the [[Society of the Friends of the People]], included 28 MPs.<ref>May (1896), vol. I, p. 402.</ref> In 1793, Grey presented to the House of Commons a petition from the Friends of the People, outlining [[abuses of the system]] and demanding change. He did not propose any specific scheme of reform, but merely a motion that the House inquire into possible improvements. Parliament's reaction to the French Revolution was so negative, that even this request for an inquiry was rejected by a margin of almost 200 votes. Grey tried to raise the subject again in 1797, but the House again rebuffed him by a majority of over 150.<ref>May (1896), vol. I, pp. 404–406.</ref>

Other notable pro-reform organisations included the [[Hampden Club]]s (named after [[John Hampden]], an English politician who opposed the Crown during the English Civil War) and the [[London Corresponding Society]] (which consisted of workers and artisans). But the "Radical" reforms supported by these organisations (for example, universal suffrage) found even less support in Parliament. For example, when [[Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Baronet|Sir Francis Burdett]], chairman of the London Hampden Club, proposed a resolution in favour of universal suffrage, equally sized electoral districts, and voting by secret ballot to the House of Commons, his motion found only one other supporter ([[Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald|Lord Cochrane]]) in the entire House.<ref>May (1896), vol. I, pp. 406–407.</ref>

Despite such setbacks, popular pressure for reform remained strong. In 1819, a large pro-reform rally was held in Birmingham. Although the city was not entitled to any seats in the Commons, those gathered decided to elect [[Sir Charles Wolseley, 7th Baronet|Sir Charles Wolseley]] as Birmingham's "legislatorial representative". Following their example, reformers in Manchester held a similar meeting to elect a "legislatorial attorney". Between 20,000 and 60,000 (by different estimates) attended the event. The protesters were ordered to disband; when they did not, the Manchester Yeomanry suppressed the meeting by force. Eighteen people were killed and several hundred injured in what later became known as the [[Peterloo Massacre]]. In response, the government passed the [[Six Acts]], measures designed to quell further political agitation. In particular, the [[Seditious Meetings Act 1817|Seditious Meetings Act]] prohibited groups of more than 50 people from assembling to discuss any political subject without prior permission from the sheriff or magistrate.<ref>May (1896), vol. II, pp. 352–359.</ref>