... Britain never did truly undergo a revolution, the threat of one was credible during the period 1830-32. These two years witnessed a huge barrage of violent and non-violent protests, and as E.P. Thompson claims, Britain came within an 'ace of revolution'.1 During this time there was a general alliance between the middle and working classes because the campaign for the vote was of mutual interest. This alliance proved to be a significant threat to Earl Grey and his Whig government. Therefore the Reform Act of 1832 was designed to enfranchise the middle classes and thus, split the alliance. It had the desired effect and as Annette Mayer has attested, the vote "shifted the attitudes and aspirations of the middle classes."2 Also, as would later be demonstrated by the Chartist movement, the working class would never be as powerful whilst lacking the financial and educational influence of the bourgeoisie, and totally ...

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