Author: Anon [A. W.]

Publication: People's Journal

Publisher: John Leng

Published: 13 October 1866

Place of publication: Dundee, Scotland

Publication type: Newspaper/Periodical

Featured individuals:
John Bright (1811-1889)
Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881)
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898)
Robert Lowe (1811-1892)
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell (1792-1878)
Edward Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby (1826-1893)

A full copy of this poem is available.

Archive/Library: Dundee Central Library
Pages(s): 2

In this People's Journal poem, included in Blair's The Poets of the People's Journal, A. W. addresses working-class pro-reformers and references Gladstone, Bright, and Russell. He also alludes to Edward Stanley (son of Lord Derby), Conservative Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Spencer Walpole, Conservative Home Secretary; Lord Derby, Conservative Prime Minister; Benjamin Disraeli, Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Robert Lowe, a passionately anti-Reform Liberal MP who was strongly opposed to trades unions and dangerous principles of equality, hence a ‘traitor’. Disraeli (‘Dizzy’) had attempted to turn the Tory party towards Reform. He introduced his bill in March 1867, and after many amendments it was eventually passed and became the Second Reform Act in July 1867. Lancaster, Totnes and Yarmouth, also referenced in this poem, were all boroughs under investigation for electoral corruption in autumn 1866.