Corn Laws put in place 1815 to ban import of foreign corn
BAD because bread price was high, distressed working class
FOR REPEAL industry would be stimulated, more competetive farming, free trade abroad encouraged
AGAINST REPEAL a flux in cheap foreign corn would ruin British farmers, Britain dependent on foreign corn, manufacturers reduce wages being selfish
Peel (leader of the Conservatives) said he wouldn't repeal the laws in 1841 but in 1845 there was serious famine in Ireland. Government response was demanded.
Peel drew up Bill to suspend Corn Laws so grain flowed more freely into Ireland
This in 1846 shocked Conservative landowners who said it was a betrayal
Agriculture was the largest single industry economically, failing to protect it = betrayal
Fierce debate in House of Commons -> 2/3 of conservative party revolted and left
Disraeli and Bentinck led attacks on Peel - Disraeli put on the map
Repeal passed in Commons, only with Whig support
Peel reseigned, never held office again
Peels supporters became Peelites
SHOWED THAT middle class triumphed over aristocrats, free trade was emphasised, Conservative Protection Policy dropped
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