One-Nation Toryism in Manchester  

In the second half of the nineteenth century politics in Manchester suddenly changed. What until then had been a mighty, unshakeable bastion of Liberalism was infiltrated brilliantly by the Tories. The turning-point was Disraeli’s ingenious Reform Act of 1867 which gave the vote to working men (as long as they were householders) in urban constituencies. The local party leaders in Manchester at once infused fresh life into their constituency associations where the new voters were given the warmest of welcomes. At the 1868 general election a Tory candidate was elected for the first time ever in Manchester, coming top of the poll in what was then a three-member seat. The local Tories knew they could do even better if they kept up the momentum of change. In 1872 they brought off a notable coup by persuading Disraeli, who rarely held big public meetings, to address his growing army of faithful...