Pressure for the Second Reform Act

First reform act did not represent the general population:

• favoured middle class
• favoured rural counties
• only 18% could vote
• still courrupt without secret ballot
• power still remained with aristocracy 
• working classes and radicals felt it should have been extended further

1835 - Municipal Corporations Act

         - all male ratepayers elected councils

Chartism: 

• demanded further reform
• attracted a large range of individuals
• May 1839 - presented a petition signed by 1,280,958 to parliament
• November 1839 - 'sacred month' - Newport rising outside Westgate Hotel - 20 died
• 1842 - second petition with 3 million signatures
• 10 April 1848 - Kennington Common rally - third petition with 5 million signatures                

Old Whigs saw reform as a way to increase chance of getting elected

Somes Tories also saw reform as a way to increase popularity…