 King introduced a bill for abolishing the property qualification of members, which passed the House of Lords on 28 June 1858, and in eight successive sessions he brought forward the county [equality of the] franchise bill, on one occasion, 20 February 1851, defeating and causing the resignation of the ministry led by fellow Whig, (Earl) Russell.He piloted through the Commons the bill that extended the £10 (rental value of home per annum, whether owned or let) franchise to the county constituencies, i.e.as for every adult male who qualified for borough suffrage.