The Sheffield Political Union (SPU) was an organisation established to campaign for Parliamentary Reform in Sheffield, England. It attracted 12,000 members in 1832.[1]
The SPU was founded by "Eleven Poor Men of Hallamshire" as celebrated in a hymn of this name by Ebenezer Elliott.
In May 1833 the SPU originally proposed submitting a "humble prayer" to King William IV to dismiss his ministers and call a new election. However when the wording was made somewhat stronger by turning this into a demand, the committee including Elliott, resigned and the union was wound up.[2]
Notable people associated with the Sheffield Political Union edit
- Ebenezer Elliott, poet
- Isaac Ironside, chartist
References edit
- ^ Bloy, Marjorie. "Political Unions". A Web of English History. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- ^ Poole, Steve Poole (2000). The Politics of Regicide in England, 1760-1850: Troublesome Subjects. Manchester: Manchester University Press. p. 173.