... the foundation of the modern Liberals, with the Whig-Liberal alliance. It consisted of radical and liberal MPs, and Peelites. In 1852 and 1854 Lord John Russell attempted to introduce a new reform bill into parliament, under the premiership of Aberdeen, a Whig. They were both withdrawn before being passed, as the Whigs thought they were too radical, and the radicals thought they were too conservative. Disraeli and Derby had already witnessed the divisive potential of the idea of electoral reform. Working-class campaigners became frustrated by the Liberals' backtracking on reform. During the Conservative government of 1858 - 59 Disraeli introduced a very partisan reform bill, to increase the number of voters in county seats. Reform initiated by the Conservative party was no new affair. However, in 1859 Palmerston became the Prime Minister, and this new government meant that the reform attempt was discarded. He was a conservative Whig, who remained ...

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