Introduction

This volume covers the interaction of society – the people, groups and organisations that made it up – with the constitution. It includes documents generated by working class and middle-class reform campaigners; advocates of votes for women; and people of diverse outlooks on matters of religious faith. The volume presents accounts of efforts by the authorities to subdue or resist dissent. It contains documents produced by senior politicians depicting their engagement with the constitution. It also includes evidence pertaining to the rise of mass political parties and other organisations with a role in the operation of the constitution.