Thursday, 20 August 2009

PRESS RELEASE

2009 commemorates four important anniversaries in the political life of Sir Robert Peel.  Firstly, it is the 200th anniversary of Peel entering the House of Commons as a member of parliament at the age of 21.  His father, the 1st Baronet, who was M.P. for Tamworth at the time, bought him the parliamentary seat of Cashel in what is now the Republic of Ireland.  He soon made his mark becoming Chief Secretary of Ireland at the age of 24.

In 1829 when Home Secretary in the Wellington Government he devised and promoted the Metropolitan Police Act, which founded the modern police force and is why policeman are called 'bobbies'.  In 1829, he also guided the Catholic Emancipation Act through a hostile parliament.  This enabled Roman Catholics to become members of Parliament.

In 1834, 175 years ago, he issued the first party political manifesto when he briefly became Prime Minister for the first time.  This is famous as the Tamworth Manifesto in political history circles.

The locally based Peel Society is commemorating these anniversaries with a dinner in the splendid surroundings of the Reform Club in Pall Mall, London on September 10th.  They are pleased to announce that the guest speaker is Dr. Vince Cable, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat party and a leading economist.

In 1846, Peel repealed the Corn Laws, which brought cheap food to the working classes.  He was subsequently defeated and resigned as Prime Minister with his reputation high amongst the majority of the population.  The Conservative Party split and the 'Peelites', led by William Gladstone, eventually formed part of the Liberal Party.

It is also the 30th anniversary of the ceremony held in Tamworth in October 1979 by Tamworth Civic Society to mark the 150th Anniversary of the formation of the Metropolitan Police.  This led to the formation of The Peel Society in November 1979.

A party of over 40 members are travelling by coach to London, where another 10 members will join them.  There are still a few places left at the dinner.  For more information, please contact Nigel Morris.

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