Tag: late night sittings

Victorian Commons, 19th Century history, Health and Medicine, Local History, Parliamentary Life, Victorian

‘I shall persist’: Joseph Brotherton (1783-1857) and late hours in the Commons

Among the new constituencies created by the 1832 Reform Act was Salford, whose first MP, Joseph Brotherton, proved to be a notably hard-working member of the Commons. Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons, 1832-1945 project, examines the career of this diligent backbencher, shedding light on the timetable of the parliamentary day. In 1832 the borough of Salford elected its first MP, … Continue reading ‘I shall persist’: Joseph Brotherton (1783-1857) and late hours in the Commons

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Stuart, 18th Century history, 19th Century history, Parliamentary Life, Social history, Victorian

Time and the Commons

Our Director, Dr Paul Seaward, explores the development of the late night culture at the House of Commons… The above John Doyle print of July 1831, ‘The House wot keeps bad hours’, shows the House of Commons in session with the clock showing seven o’clock in the morning. Members are crowded on the benches, asleep or half asleep; the clerk, barely conscious, is supporting his … Continue reading Time and the Commons

Paul SeawardLeave a comment