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But the mass of the old electors did not analyse very much: they liked to have one of their "betters" to represent them; if he was rich they respected him much; and if he was a lord, they liked him the better. The issue put before these electors was, which of two rich people will you choose? And each of those rich people was put forward by great parties whose notions were the notions of the rich — whose plans were their plans. The electors only selected one or two wealthy men to carry out the schemes of one or two wealthy associations.
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Introduction, p.xiii
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The "old electors" Bagehot refers to were the ?10 borough householders enfranchised by the Reform Act of 1832.

 

Walter Bagehot

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