 The Bill was then sent up to the House of Lords , a majority in which was known to be hostile to it . After the Whigs ' decisive victory in the 1831 election , some speculated that opponents would abstain , rather than openly defy the public will . Indeed , when the Lords voted on the second reading of the bill after a memorable series of debates , many Tory peers did refrain from voting . However , the Lords Spiritual mustered in unusually large numbers , and of 22 present , 21 voted against the Bill . It failed by 41 votes . 
