Gladstone's Liberalism: Dominant Force behind Domestic Legislation of His First Ministry
Gladstone’s liberalism undoubtedly played a huge role in deiciding the structure of domestic legislation of his first ministry, However it is believed that pressure and practicality are possible factors as well.
Gladstone led a political party that was itself the product of the changing social and economic conditions taking place in Britain during the 19th century. It is important that we understand Gladstone’s involvement in poltics was very much directly related to his religious beliefs. Much of his stature as a politician was based on his ability to think of political problems as moral issues. He once famously said, “I will always back the masses against the classes.” The line leads us to belive that liberalism was a great force behind the domestic legislation of his first ministry. The government which Gladstone presided has been describes by Micheal Bentley as’one of the most energetic and prolific administrations of the 19th centuary’. The reforms passed during his time as prime minister reflected the main principles of Gladstonian Liberalism. Support for free trade, administrative efficiency in government, retrenchment and individual self-expression are all clearly encased in most of the bills passed. Gladstone had a great appeal to non comformists. Noncomformists wanted equal rights with Anglicans. Gladstone was a strong Anglican however, later in his career he took up liberal iideas about freedom and equal rights fot people and spoke in favour of Noncomformists being allowed to have their own kind of burial services in Anglican graveyards. His intentions were made clear when the Religious equality and Iniverity Test Act was passed in 1871. Gladstonian liberalism was the driving force behind turning the recruitment basis of the Army to be judged on merits and instead of class. In the 1868 election campaign, Gladstone delcated himself in favour of open competition.” This shows Gldstone’s willingness for fairly placed army. This reforms clearly brought
Gladstone led a political party that was itself the product of the changing social and economic conditions taking place in Britain during the 19th century. It is important that we understand Gladstone’s involvement in poltics was very much directly related to his religious beliefs. Much of his stature as a politician was based on his ability to think of political problems as moral issues. He once famously said, “I will always back the masses against the classes.” The line leads us to belive that liberalism was a great force behind the domestic legislation of his first ministry. The government which Gladstone presided has been describes by Micheal Bentley as’one of the most energetic and prolific administrations of the 19th centuary’. The reforms passed during his time as prime minister reflected the main principles of Gladstonian Liberalism. Support for free trade, administrative efficiency in government, retrenchment and individual self-expression are all clearly encased in most of the bills passed. Gladstone had a great appeal to non comformists. Noncomformists wanted equal rights with Anglicans. Gladstone was a strong Anglican however, later in his career he took up liberal iideas about freedom and equal rights fot people and spoke in favour of Noncomformists being allowed to have their own kind of burial services in Anglican graveyards. His intentions were made clear when the Religious equality and Iniverity Test Act was passed in 1871. Gladstonian liberalism was the driving force behind turning the recruitment basis of the Army to be judged on merits and instead of class. In the 1868 election campaign, Gladstone delcated himself in favour of open competition.” This shows Gldstone’s willingness for fairly placed army. This reforms clearly brought