Some Recent Writings in British Political History, 1832-1914

Abstract

Has the wealth of new and interesting writing on the political history and institutions of Britain since 1832 radically altered the general framework of understanding? It is a logical question to ask when confronted by so much recent activity, however selective the list of studies, and by the need to tell the story of modern Britain in a fashion that retains coherence and meaning, as well as pattern, and has the merit of fitting into the requirements of the American university survey course. The answer to the opening question is no, and it is offered with a sigh of relief. General historical frameworks are hard to come by, and if for a brief period-it will inevitably be a brief period-we have one that saves the appearances, accommodates most of the basic facts, and still allows for considerable intellectual activity, we ought to be grateful. The lines of present research into British political history were set down within the last thirty years -naturally there were antecedents -and the overall picture of the structure of Victorian and Edwardian politics and the role of famous personalities are still remarkably unchanged. The success of present political history is greatly attributable to the care and good sense of Norman Gash. Nearly thirty years ago Politics in the Age of Peel appeared and suddenly cleared the air. Much of the mythology surrounding the historiography of the Great Reform Bill was pulled away. It was Gash who reviewed the connection between electoral reform and the existing structure of political influence, analyzed constituency politics as a system, and challenged the assumption that a sudden turnover of power had occurred. It was Gash who made us see that old actors do not instantly roll off the stage blowing kisses to the crowd. Settled constituencies do not suddenly slough off old habits of as-