Cornwall Politics in the Age of Reform 1790-1885

Examination of major changes in political behaviour in 19c Cornwall withwider implications for the country as a whole. This detailed case-study offers a penetrating analysis of the changing political culture in Cornwall up to and after the introduction of the 1832 electoral system. It spans a century in which the county''s parliamentary over-representation and notorious political corruption was replaced by a politicised electorate for whom issues and principles were usually paramount. Several models of electoral behaviour are tested; in particular the continuous politicalactivism of Cornwall''s farmers stands out. Despite remnants of the unreformed electoral system lingering into the mid-Victorian era Cornwall developed a powerful Liberal tradition built upon distinctive patterns of non-conformity; the Conservatives split by dissension saw their pre-reform ascendancy disappear. Professor EDWIN JAGGARD lectures in history at Edith Cowan University Perth Western Australia.