ABSTRACT
On several critical occasions during the 1833 Session, Parliamentary Radicalism rose to match the fevered Radical atmosphere outside by recording anti-Whig votes of between 120 and 160. All it seemed to lack to become the dominating force in the country was a leader of high station who should throw over the movement the shelter of “respectability” and responsibility. If the electoral system of 1832 had allowed the Parliamentary Radicals the steadying prospect of power, their utility would undoubtedly have been greater, and the necessary party cohesion and party leader have been more easily produced. The death of Lord Durham was the more unfortunate for the Parliamentary Radicals in that their groups in the Commons were still without the slightest party cohesion. To the construction of a Radical Parliamentary party Richard Cobden brought the same discouraged listlessness which he showed towards Suffrage campaigning.
