1-150-232 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'The Real Ugly Rush', 1859. When Disraeli introduced his Reform Bill to the House, it caused trouble for his own party even before its defeat brought the Government down. Mr Henley and Mr Walpole were both seasoned politicians - in fact Walpole was Home Secretary. Both men retired from the Derby ministry in protest at the Bill's introduction. Mr Henley predicted that there would be 'an ugly rush' on the part of the People should there now be any reduction in the proposed extension of the franchise. The phrase was used in a parliamentary sense by Mr Punch who said that the real 'ugly rush' would be that of the rival parties and politicians for the Treasury Bench. This cartoon shows a 'Keystone Cops' scene of various key political figures jammed in a doorway, jostling and pushing to be the first one through. At the front are John Bright with the eyeglass, the tiny Lord Russell and the smooth Palmerston. Behind can be seen Lord Derby's crown and, on the right, Disraeli trying to squirm through. From Punch, or the London Charivari, April 30, 1859.