This volume covers the interaction of society – the people, groups and organisations that made it up – with the constitution. It includes documents generated by working class and middle-class reform campaigners; advocates of votes for women; and people of diverse outlooks on matters of religious faith. The volume presents accounts of efforts by the authorities to subdue or resist dissent. It contains documents produced by senior politicians depicting their engagement with the constitution. It also includes evidence pertaining to the rise of mass political parties and other organisations with a role in the operation of the constitution.
Table of Contents:
Volume II: People, Parties and Politicians
General Introduction
Volume 2 Introduction
Part 1. Perspectives
1. Mary Woolstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman
2. Lord Byron, ‘Framework Bill’
3. Alfred Tennyson, ‘You Ask Me Why, Tho’ Ill at East’
4. Karl Marx, ‘The British Constitution’
5. Benjamin Disraeli, speech at Crystal Palace, 24 June 1872
6. William Morris, ‘Concerning Government’
7. J. A. Hobson, ‘The Crisis of Liberalism: New Issues of Democracy’
Part 2. Campaigns and groups
8. Society for Constitutional Information
9. The London Corresponding Society’s Regulations
10. Percy Bysshe Shelley, ‘Masque of Anarchy’,
11. Thomas Duncombe, ‘The People’s Charter – Petition’
12. Address of the Committee to the People of England, Administrative Reform Association
13. Charles Watts, ‘Secularism in its Various Relations’
14. Christabel Pankhurst, ‘The Militant Methods of the NWSPU’
15. Chrystal Macmillan, ‘The Struggle for Political Liberty’
Part 3. Representation
16. Admission of Baron de Rothschild
17. Sir Mancherjee Bhownaggree, ‘Indian Taxation’
18. Viscountess (Nancy) Astor, ‘Liquor Traffic (Restrictions)’
19. Margaret Wintringham, ‘Royal Parks and Pleasure Gardens’
20. Shapurji Saklatvala, ‘Debate on the Address’
21. Margaret Bondfield, ‘Debate on the Address’
22. Eleanor Rathbone, ‘Housing (Revision of Contributions) Bill’
23. Marion Phillips, ‘Annual Holiday Bill’
Part 4. Rights and freedoms
24. Charles James Fox, ‘Religious Liberty’,
25. A Habeas Corpus Suspension Act, 1794
26. The Case of Wolf Tone,
27. Combination Act 1800
28. Richard Sheridan, ‘Standing Order for the Exclusion of Strangers’
29. Sir Samuel Romilly, ‘Habeas Corpus Suspension Bill’
30. Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts 1828
31. Roman Catholic Emancipation Act, 1829
32. Edward Lytton Bulwer, ‘Newspaper Stamp Duties’
33. Charles Bradlaugh, ‘Public Meetings in the Metropolis’
34. (Industrial action) Taff Vale Case, decision of Mr. Justice Farewell
35. Aliens Act, 1905
36. Lord Loreburn, ‘Trade Disputes Bill’
37. Cinematograph Act, 1909
38. Official Secrets Act, 1911
39. Defence of the Realm Act, 1914
40. Emergency Powers Act, 1920
41. Report of the Broadcasting Committee
42. Ellen Wilkinson, ‘Trade Disputes and Trade Unions Bill’
Index
