As torontoyes notes, reforms are an excellent tool for implementing specific policies. However, not every statesman is able to use it effectively.

In our article, we will tell you about a politician, for whom reforms were a way of his life, referring to assnat.qc.ca. 

Principles

Baldwin’s political principles related to the British Country Party of the eighteenth century. It was a loose coalition of parliamentarians, which influenced the American Revolution and subsequent Jacksonian policies.

The party could easily be considered the embodiment of civil humanism, as well as selfless political activity.

An important concept

Dr. William Baldwin introduced a concept that boils down to responsible government. Subsequently, the development of the idea was continued by William’s son, Robert.

Although the idea of colonial ministers being accountable to the colony’s parliament had been promoted since the eighteenth century, the Baldwin family is generally credited with its originators.

Shy personality

Robert Baldwin can’t be named an innate politician.

According to the descriptions of the time, he was melancholic, delivered his public speeches in a whisper and often stuttered.

Robert lost the general election, although he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of York as a result of a by-election in 1830. 

What was next?

After the election defeat, Robert Baldwin decided to resume his private legal practice. He was involved in that activity until 1836 when his wife died during childbirth. After that, Lt. Governor Bond Head appointed Baldwin to the Executive Council.

Robert expressed his condition before taking office. According to it, the governor had to make a verbal commitment to the government. Such a “ritual” fully corresponded to the mentioned concept, introduced by his father.

However, Lt. Governor Bond Head refused to commit. Therefore, Robert and his advisers resigned from the post.

New position

In 1840, Robert Baldwin was appointed to the post of Solicitor General. However, Baldwin wanted to get elected to implement his concept. After all, this would make him accountable to the elected Assembly and not to the Crown.

Considering the riots that took place during public elections in January 1841, Robert realised that he could forget about his win in the city. So, he focused on elections in Hastings and 4th York.

This is how Robert ended up in the United Parliament.

A profitable tandem

Despite the fact that Baldwin was lucky to be elected at once in two seats in the western Canadian region, the reformers remained in the minority.

In the eastern region of Canada, every effort was made to prevent the election of the Terrebonne reformer Louis LaFontaine.

Then Robert voiced a proposal, according to which LaFontaine was to take his place in the 4th district of York.

Robert also voiced the idea that LaFontaine should become a member of the reformed Executive Council. Otherwise, Baldwin would leave the post of Solicitor General.

Thus, such a reformer tandem helped LaFontaine to get into the Council, while Robert won additional elections in 1843.

However, later, he lost his position in Hastings due to the violence of the Orange Order.

Friend’s help

Baldwin founded the Reform Association in 1844. Its goal was to unite the reformist movement in the western region of Canada. It was supposed to strengthen the concept of responsible government on the eve of the elections.

However, Robert Baldwin didn’t know how to continue his political activity and take another position. The Orange Order blocked him from any opportunities.

LaFontaine came to help his friend. He decided to give up his post in the 4th York in Baldwin’s favour.

Resignation

It is fair to emphasise that the Baldwin reformers couldn’t be called a full-fledged party. After achieving their main goal (responsible government), they went into a period of internal disagreements, which led to Baldwin’s resignation in 1851.

Photo source: wikipedia