At the end of his remarks on the King’s speech, the prime minister, the duke of Wellington (1769–1852), having discussed the situation in France and Holland, and alluded to the repeal of the union with Ireland, turned his attention to the agricultural riots in Kent (the Captain Swing Riots) and to the matter of Parliamentary reform. On that issue, he had not heard ‘of any measure which could in any degree satisfy his mind that the state of representation could be improved or be rendered more satisfactory to the country at large than at the present moment.’ He also announced that he would resist any attempt at reform while he still held office.

See The Times, 3 November 1830.