“Social protest was the main reason for the repeal of the Corn Laws.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that social protest was the main reason for the repeal of the Corn Laws. Candidates may consider the nature and tactics of the Anti-Corn Law League: it was a very middle-class movement that relied on the press, petitions and some mass meetings to generate support. By 1845 there were 12 abolitionist MPs and Peel reduced some duties. Peel was convinced of the need for repeal but was worried about the unity of his party. The Irish potato famine caused him to bring a repeal bill to parliament with the support of the Cabinet, during the ensuing crisis the Conservative Party split and the bill was passed with Whig support. It could be argued that it was the Anti-Corn Law League with significant popular support that made repeal a live political issue leading to repeal. Others could argue it was Peel’s determination to push repeal through parliament knowing it would split the Conservative Party that led to the repeal of the Corn Laws. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that social protest was the main reason for the repeal of the Corn Laws.