Description:In the early 1830s, new ideas for changing Britain's political system were one of the hottest topics for debate.
Corrupt and Selfish
The authors of this notice direct their venom at "the most shamelessly Corrupt and Selfish Parliament ever commissioned to betray the people."
At this time, Britain's politics were tainted by so-called 'rotten boroughs.' These were usually rural areas where very few voters lived, but which still returned their own MP to Westminster.
In contrast, fast-growing industrial areas like Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and the Potteries had to share MPs with their sorrounding counties, despite large populations.
Moves were underway to bring changes to the system, but many people were suspicious of the MPs that stood to lose their rotten boroughs.
In fact these men were usually rich landowners, who sometimes owned all of the land in their constituencies.
Many came together through Tory organisations like the Carlton Club and the 'Charles Street Gang.'
The Gang
The notice calls on voters and MPs to resist this corrupt 'gang' and warns of their attempts to bribe and corrupt their peers using "purses filled with the Spoils of the People."
Readers are urged to follow the example of Dover's citizens, who hoisted a black flag when members of the so-called gang came to town.
About this document
This document was collected by Burslem pottery manufacturer Enoch Wood and is now among the collections at Stoke-on-Trent Museums.