ABSTRACT
The 19th century, or the two-thirds from 1830 onwards, was the period in which the work of government began to expand beyond the traditional concerns of foreign policy, defence of the realm and national security, and administration of justice. By extension of the franchise and modernisation of constituency structure, the House of Commons was converted from a body largely composed of members of the aristocracy and their clients, representing the interests of only a small portion of the population, into a legislature with some claim, however imperfect, to reflect the popular will. This led in turn to government accepting a responsibility to act in spheres now thought central to its work-education, health, employment and housing. In the same period, the principle was also established that the monarch would not refuse royal assent to Bills passed by Parliament, and the balance of power in the relationship between sovereign and Prime Minister began to tilt to an ever-increasing extent in the latter’s favour.
