 Meanwhile , the political unions , which had hitherto been separate groups united only by a common goal , decided to form the National Political Union . Perceiving this group as a threat , the government issued a proclamation pursuant to the Corresponding Societies Act 1799 declaring such an association " unconstitutional and illegal " , and commanding all loyal subjects to shun it . The leaders of the National Political Union ignored this proclamation , but leaders of the influential Birmingham branch decided to co @-@ operate with the government by discouraging activities on a national level . 
