As well as not being allowed to vote,
there were many other reasons for the ordinary workers to rise up against
the ruling class in the 1830's.
A new law of 1834,
just three years before Queen Victoria was crowned, brought in very harsh
treatment of the poor 
and
set up the terrible workhouse system.
The local flannel-making industry
was in trouble, and new machinery had put many of the poorest people out
of work. A government run by landowners kept the price of corn
high by passing the Corn Laws, which increased the cost of bread.
It was a very bad time to be poor, as the whole system helped the rich
to stay rich and the poor to stay poor.
The situation led to outbreaks of violence in many areas, with unrest in industrial towns and the burning of ricks in country districts. This was the time of the famous Tolpuddle Martyrs who were transported in 1834 for protesting about the unfair system.
