 Support for parliamentary reform plummeted after the launch of the French Revolution in 1789 . Reacting to the excesses of the revolution , many English politicians became steadfastly opposed to any major political change . Despite this reaction , several Radical Movement groups were established to agitate for reform . A group of Whigs led by James Maitland , 8th Earl of Lauderdale and Charles Grey founded an organisation advocating parliamentary reform in 1792 . This group , known as the Society of the Friends of the People , included 28 MPs . In 1793 , Grey presented to the House of Commons a petition from the Friends of the People , outlining abuses of the system and demanding change . He did not propose any specific scheme of reform , but merely a motion that the House inquire into possible improvements . Parliament 's reaction to the French Revolution was so negative , that even this request for an inquiry was rejected by a margin of almost 200 votes . Grey tried to raise the subject again in 1797 , but the House again rebuffed him by a majority of over 150 . 
