1-150-224 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'Great Poaching Affray on the Liberal Preserves', 1859. After the defeat of Disraeli's Reform Bill, Lord Derby's Conservative Government decided to go to the country in a General Election. Lord Russell (on the left) had long been advocating modest parliamentary reform, as had John Bright, the shadowy figure behind the gate. It was felt in some circles that Disraeli had poached their long held policies and had endeavoured to abuse them for the purposes of furthering Conservative fortunes. This cartoon shows Gamekeeper Russell demanding that the besmocked poacher, Disraeli, hand over the blunderbuss with which he has just 'killed' his own government. From Punch, or the London Charivari, March 26, 1859.