Why did the government take action in 1832? (3.3)

1832

general election of 1831 gave the Whigs the majority
1831 - more focused on parliamentary reform than reform of the poor laws
the government were soon pushed into action
Lord Brougham (a committed Benthamite) made the surpising announcement that the government was to consolidate and simplify the exisitng poor laws in the next two sessions of parliament
Feb 1832 - Lord Althorpe, the chancellor of the exchequer, told the house of comons that a Royal Commission would be appointed to conduct an investigation into the operation of the poor laws
the ways in which the commission conducted its enquries and the outcomes of those enquries had a profound and lasting impact on atttitudes to, and treatment of, paupers throughout the century and beyond

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