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 >>

Historic Collections · Kings College · Old Aberdeen · AB24 3SW

Tel:(0)44 1224 274312 · E-mail: radicalism@abdn.ac.uk

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