How Far Do Sources 1 and 2 Agree Into Peel’s View on How the 1832 Reform Act Would Change the Character of the British Constitution (20 Marks)

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From sources 1 and 2, they agree with Peel’s view that the 1832 Reform Act would change the character of the British Constitution to a small extent. Source 1 agrees with source 3 to a small degree, where they both agree that the act would change the character of the constitution in some form. For example, source 1 suggests that the act would ‘add to the electorate about half a million persons’, thus providing the view that change would be possible as it would enable a greater number of people voting for political parties. Similarly, source 3 concurs with the belief that there would be alterations in the character of the constitution as there will be ‘a series of changes’ that will occur. Moreover, source 1 also explains that there may be a ‘future struggle’, therefore implying that there maybe a form of rebellion that could occur in response to the act being implemented. As a result, the source also admits that there could be the likelihood of conflict occurring from the changes brought about by the act, with the lower class possibly becoming unhappy and losing respect for the Source 3 further corroborates with source 1 as the act could ‘root up the feelings of respect, reverence and loyalty, which are the only sure foundations of government.’ Peel therefore suggests that there could be drastic change to the character of the constitution, where the traditional political hierarchy could be destabilised and in effect, agrees with source 1 as they support the view that the act could lead to increased factions and disputes. Taken at face value Sources 1 and 2 clearly conflict with Peel’s claims in Source 3. Both emphasise the limited nature of the proposed reforms and emphasise that the intention is to strengthen the existing system by getting rid of ‘blemishes’ and adding new voters of the most respectable and reliable kind. Palmerston asserts that the changes
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