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The Voice of Radicalism
The Reform Coalition - Reform to 1850
Reformers wanted to end the old political system. The demands for radical change were strongest in Aberdeen.
- Established businessmen wanted to replace the Tory-voting Haddens with Liberals like themselves
- The new middle classes wanted to decide who ran the council and the Church of Scotland
- Many working class inhabitants also wanted the vote
- James Adam, the radical editor of The Aberdeen Herald wanted to separate Church and State.
- The Blaikie family led the Aberdeen reform movement.
- They were manufacturers who wanted to run the council
- They were Whigs (rather conservative old-fashioned Liberals)
- They led an alliance for change that included working class radicals
- In 1831 they organised a big rally on the Links attended by more than 10,000 people supporting Reform.
Joseph Hume from Montrose was the most famous local Radical. He:
- Represented the Aberdeen group of burghs prior to 1830
- Was rector of Marischal College
- Was a popular speechwriter whose speeches were widely circulated in the press.
Reform to 1850 >>
