My history hero: Iain Duncan Smith chooses Robert Peel (1788–1850)
Former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith chooses Robert Peel as a history hero
In profile
Robert Peel was Conservative prime minister from 1834–35 and 1841–46, and was simultaneously chancellor of the Exchequer during his first premiership. He was also twice home secretary (1822–27 and 1828–30). He is best known for founding the Metropolitan Police Force in 1829 and repealing the Corn Laws in 1846. He died after being thrown from his horse, aged 62.
When did you first hear about Peel?
I first came across him at school during a history lesson, when we were studying 19th and early 20th‑century parliamentary reform.
I remember being fascinated by him and the positions he took on some of the big issues of the day.
What kind of man was he?
The son of a wealthy textile manufacturer and politician, he was in essence a ‘High Tory’ – that is, a traditional Conservative of that era. He was also a highly intelligent individual, and got a double first in classics and maths (an interesting combination!) at Oxford. However, he was regarded as personally rather aloof and distant.
What made him a hero?
Firstly, his immense drive and capacity for hard work – I think that he and William Gladstone (who admired Peel) were the towering political figures of 19th-century England.
Secondly, the way that, when the facts changed, he rightly changed his mind on key issues like Catholic emancipation and the repeal of the Corn Laws [tariffs on imported cereals], both of which he initially opposed.
And thirdly, the landmark legislation he drove through parliament such as founding the Metropolitan Police (the initial thousand constables employed by him were known as ‘peelers’ or ‘bobbies’), cutting the number of crimes punishable by death, and repealing the Corn Laws. That concept of evolution, not revolution, was to become a mainstay of the later Conservative party.
What was Peel’s finest hour?
Putting country before party and repealing the Corn Laws after becoming a convert to free trade. He could see the tariffs had led to high prices – and things reached crisis point with the outbreak of the Irish Famine, following the failure of the potato crop.
Opposing the Corn Laws with the help of the Whigs and radicals like William Cobbett – he had to work with the ‘Jeremy Corbyns’ of the day – split the Tories and sparked confrontation with diehard opponents of reform like Disraeli. But Peel’s actions helped to alleviate the suffering, although probably too late to stop it outright.
What would he make of the Conservative party’s current predicament?
I think he’d bury his head in his hands on learning that we’ve arrived at where we are today after achieving a significant majority in 2019.
What would you ask Peel if you could meet him?
I’d ask him why he didn’t try to do more to reconcile the Tory party after it split over the Corn Laws, but he may have concluded that it was a hopeless cause, given the intransigence of people like Disraeli.
Iain Duncan Smith was the leader of the Conservative party from 2001–03 and secretary of state for work and pensions from 2010–16. He has been MP for Chingford and Woodford Green (formerly Chingford) since 1992.
This article was first published in the December 2024 issue of BBC History Magazine
Authors
York Membery is a regular contributor to BBC History Magazine, the Daily Mail and Sunday Times among other publications. York, who lives in London, worked on the Mirror, Express and Times before turning freelance. He studied history at Cardiff University and the Institute of Historical Research, and has a History PhD from Maastricht University.