1818 Oct. 7

Parl. Reform Bill

+ XI

Reasons 3 o or 4 o

'.2. Electors Who

'. Universality

XI Objection, this is democracy

1

3

XI. Objection - On this plan the Constitution would be democratised. Answer.

* By virtually universal suffrage in the hands of the people the force of the Government would not be altered.

* It may be said, {and not without truth} that the whole power of the government is virtually in the hands of the Commons House: and that therefore if the power of choosing the Members of that House were in the hands of the whole body of the people or of a body having no other than the same interests the whole power of the government would thus be virtually in the hand of the whole body of the people: and the government instead of a limited Monarchy would be a Representative Democracy.

In this case, the antecedent does not seem capable of being denied. For by annexing conditions to their determination, those on whose determination it at all times depends, whether money is sufficient quantity for keeping the powers of government alive and in action shall come into the hands by which it will be applied to that purpose, are potentially virtually in possession of that power: since at any time by the refusal of the supplies necessary for that purpose, it rests with them to dissolve the government, and supposing the people to concurr with them, to set up another in its stead: and under the existing system in the hands of the House of Commons the /their/ power of thus dissolving the government has by recent provisions /statutes/ been preserved: and the power they thus possess they possess will by the consent, and thence by the virtual acknowledgement of the two other branches of the Government - the Monarch and the House of Lords. +

+ See Stat. < > Irish Union Act and Land Tax and Malt Tax Redemption Acts.