Articles by Philip Salmon
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The 1832 Reform Act
‘Was the 1832 Reform Act “Great”?’ may not be the standard exam question it once was, but ongoing research about…
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The role and power of the Victorian House of Lords
Dr Philip Salmon looks at a key element of Parliament which we don’t usually have much opportunity to reflect on…
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House of Lords reform: a Victorian perspective
Unlike the House of Commons, which underwent major ‘democratic’ reform in the 19th century, the Lords remained virtually unchanged during…
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Defying the Whip: ‘rebel’ MP Swynfen Jervis (1797-1867)
On the anniversary of Swynfen Jervis’s return for Bridport in 1837, Dr Philip Salmon of the Victorian Commons explores the…
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The 1872 Secret Ballot and Multiple Member Seats
In this post about the introduction of the ballot in UK elections, based on a seminar talk (click here to…
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‘Damn the secret ballot’: the UK’s public voting system before 1872
Today (18 July) marks another anniversary of the 1872 Secret Ballot Act, a topic we examined in more detail in…
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Conscience versus constituency: the dilemma facing Henry Charles Sturt MP
On the anniversary of his death on 14 April 1866, Dr Philip Salmon of the Victorian Commons reflects on the…
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Catholics in the Commons after emancipation
Today (13 April) marks the anniversary of the Roman Catholic Relief Act gaining royal assent in 1829, which removed many…
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The Commons at work: the Chairman of Ways and Means
The Speaker of the House of Commons is a remarkably familiar figure to television audiences around the world. Anyone viewing…
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Local polls and national politics: a 19th century perspective
As much of the UK prepares to vote in local elections this week, in this blog (adapted from our Victorian…
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Oxfordshire Local History: Abingdon in the nineteenth century
This month’s local history focus has been Oxfordshire. In today’s blog Dr Philip Salmon, editor of the House of Commons…
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The royal scandal that helped change British politics: the 1820 Queen Caroline affair
On 5 June 1820 Caroline of Brunswick returned to England to take her place as Queen Consort to George IV.…