| The opposition group in the Fifth Parliament, 1809 to 1812, has been neglected by historians because they have not recognized any group movements in the Assembly before the War of 1812. However, there is evidence that such a group did exist before this time as this thesis will show. Ten opposition-minded members co-operated and effectively worked through the Fifth Parliament. This thesis will primarily examine their activities as a whole in the Fifth Parliament. It will also trace earlier activities of some of these individuals and several of the Irish oppositionists, for by considering these earlier activities, the effectiveness of cohesive action in the Fifth Parliament will become clearer. The result of such action would lay the basis for a more democratic and liberal political and social system in the future. |
