Chapter 4: New Horizons, 1832-7

 

Item 33
Standing for Parliament
Letter to Disraeli from his cousin, Ben Lindo, 9 June 1832
Dep. Hughenden 28/1, fols. 29r-29v

Disraeli first stood for Parliament in June 1832 in the Wycombe by-election. Parliamentary immunity would protect him from creditors but Disraeli was also politically ambitious seeking, like Contarini, 'fame by devot[ing] myself to affairs' of the state. But his political writings carried mixed signals. In Wycombe he stood as an independent Radical: the anti-reform Tories were a spent force and the Whigs, their French policy lashed by Disraeli in Gallomania, published in April, were far too aristocratic to admit him. This letter from his cousin Ben Lindo describes unsuccessful attempts by Barnett to recruit Quaker voters. The Red Lion Inn (now demonished) was the scene of Disraeli's crowd-converting speech against his Whig opponent, Col. Grey, the Prime Minister's son, and ultimate victor with 20 of the 32 votes cast.

This letter from his cousin Ben Lindo describes unsuccessful attempts by Barnett to recruit Quaker voters. The Red Lion Inn (now demonished) was the scene of Disraeli's crowd-converting speech against his Whig opponent, Col. Grey, the Prime Minister's son, and ultimate victor with 20 of the 32 votes cast.