ABSTRACT
independence of parliament, in the reformers’ judgement, was threatened by the excessive influence wielded there by George III and his political managers, who placed compliant supporters in office for no better reason than that they voted reliably the right way. Conspiracy theorists, common enough among Fox’s increasingly beleaguered supporters, could see this initiative as further evidence of the King’s evil design. They did not dispute the King’s right to dissolve parliament. Fox and the Rockinghams gave it grudging approval, while criticising the details. In addition to some personal support, almost thirty county representatives voted for it; this was a smaller number than had supported his earlier reform bill in 1783. He could also claim a clear majority among members who had been elected for the first time in 1784, which provided further evidence of the reformist temper of the voters at an election which Fox had condemned as rigged by court influence.
