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Victorians: Power and Corrupt Politics
Tue 22 Jul 2025, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tuesday 22 Jul, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Learn how Victorian voters could be corrupted.
Who could vote? Which political parties were involved? Who became MPs? Which issues gave rise to reform and how were they suppressed? What events were happening at the time? Who was involved? What tactics were employed? Is it all about money and/or power?
Drawing from recently published diaries a few cases will be examined from the 1850s, a fascinating time in British politics.
Quotes from our speaker Bill’s ancestor William Schaw Lindsay standing as a Liberal in 1852:
“It was clear to the people that he carried his election by unfair means. More than 200 voters who had promised me their support would not leave their houses. They were in fear of their lives. Others, in one case, an entire street full, had been corrupted by bribery, or frightened away. The canvass was clearly in my favour, and if the electors had been left free to exercise their franchise as they pleased, I should beyond all doubt have gained the election.”
“The assailants stopped the horses, and about a dozen herculean fellows caught hold of the offside wheels, and with one fling capsized the coach, and all the contents, right across the pavement, through the shutters of a large window in a grocer’s shop. Amazed at this feat, I could not help ejaculating, “My God!” for I concluded that every man of them was killed. Not they! They soon emerged from their position, crawling out beneath the coach, and from the ruins of the shattered windows like rabbits from a warren.”
Event Information
Price: £15
Room: Brunt Room
Customer Information: Pen and notepad / device are optional
Your Tutor
Name: Bill Lindsay
Bio:
Bill Lindsay, Independent Scholar, retired twelve years ago from a lifelong career in the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, he has turned to researching Victorian Merchant Shipping and has become a member of several Nautical Societies. Bill has written many articles on the subject and is currently editor of the online magazine Topmasts for the Society for Nautical Research.
Department: Humanities