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Cartoon, Political Kidnapping (Electoral Reform)
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Cartoon, Political Kidnapping (Electoral Reform)
Cartoon, Political Kidnapping -- a satirical comment on the transfer of the electoral reform initiative from the Liberals (Lord John Russell) to the Conservatives (Lord Derby), showing the theft of the Reform Bill baby.
1867
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Media ID 23361436
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1867 Analogy Bill Comment Commons Conservative Conservatives Crinoline Democracy Drag Dressing Electoral Extend Extension Franchise Initiative Kidnapping Liberal Liberals Metaphor Parliament Parliamentary Parties Power Railings Reform Reforming Ridicule Ridiculous Rival Rivals Russell Satire Satirical Session Tory Transfer Vote Voting Westminster 1860s
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This satirical cartoon, titled "Political Kidnapping (Electoral Reform)" from the 1860s, offers a humorous commentary on the contentious transfer of the electoral reform initiative from the Liberals, led by Lord John Russell, to the Conservatives, under Lord Derby, during the 1867 parliamentary session. The image portrays the Reform Bill, represented as a baby in a crinoline dress and bonnet, being kidnapped from Lord Russell by a group of Tory MPs, dressed in top hats and tails, while the Liberal ladies in the background look on in disbelief. The scene takes place on the pavement outside the Houses of Parliament, with Lord Derby, wearing a top hat and holding a cane, directing the operation from the street. The cartoon metaphorically illustrates the political rivalry between the two parties and the struggle for power over the electoral reform issue. The extension of the franchise to the working classes was a significant democratic reform, and the Conservatives' appropriation of the initiative from the Liberals was seen as a ridiculous and underhanded move. The image ridicules the Conservatives' actions and the absurdity of the political process, with the baby's crinoline and bonnet serving as a striking visual analogy for the fragile nature of the reform bill and the potential for it to be easily swayed or stolen. Overall, this cartoon provides a valuable insight into the political climate of the time and the satirical commentary on the electoral reform debate.
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