The 1829 Catholic Relief Act - Paving the way for today's Catholic MPs

It's 190 years since the Catholic Relief Act came into force in England and Wales offering long-awaited legislation to allow Catholics to play their part in the public life of our countries. In the centuries following the Reformation, Catholics had numerous restrictions placed upon them such as not being allowed to purchase land, hold civil or military offices or seats in Parliament, inherit property or practice their religion freely without incurring civil penalties. The Catholic Relief Act of 1829 started to redress this allowing Catholics to sit in Parliament and vote in elections. One of the key players in the emancipation, and ultimately the Act, was the Irish barrister and orator Daniel O'Connell. He peacefully mobilised the Catholic peasantry to agitate for emancipation and founded the Catholic Association in Ireland. In 1828, he flouted the custom of allowing by-elections to pass uncontested running for, and winning, the seat of County Clare by an astonishing 68% of the vote. Even Ghandi was inspired by O'Connell's example to be a leader of liberation through non-violent acts. Today we talk to Conor McGinn MP, a Catholic, whose constituency is St Helens North, about the Catholic Relief Act, Daniel O'Connell and the legacy left for Catholic MPs today. Opening the podcast, prior to the interview with Conor, our Public Affairs Officer Pierce-Patrick Hynes supplies the historical context.