1-150-223 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Last Pantomime of the Season', 1859. Disraeli introduced his Reform Bill to the House early in 1859. However, because it was seen as a blatant attempt to conjure up extra Conservative votes, and was too obviously drafted to favour Conservative party interest, opposition groups combined to defeat the Bill in March 1859. This cartoon shows John Bright as Harlequin and Lord Russell on the floor tripping the unwary Disraeli as he comes through the door with the weighty Reform Bill on his shoulder. Pardoxically, both Bright and Russell were advocates of parliamentary reform, but opposed the bias of this particular Bill. This defeat brought Lord Derby's government to the end of its time in office. To the right of the picture is the next premier, Lord Palmerston. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 19, 1859.