Thomas Bilcliffe Fyler MP (12 September 1788 – 4 March 1838)[1][2] was a British Tory politician who represented Coventry in the House of Commons from 10 June 1826 to 25 July 1831.[3]

Thomas Fyler
Born12 September 1788 Edit this on Wikidata
Died4 March 1838 Edit this on Wikidata (aged 49)
OccupationPolitician Edit this on Wikidata
Position heldmember of the 8th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1826–1830), member of the 9th Parliament of the United Kingdom (1830–1831) Edit this on Wikidata

Early life

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Fyler was an army officer and barrister. He attended Winchester School 1799-1806, before going up to Christ Church, Oxford then to Lincoln's Inn[2]

Parliamentary career

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Fyler was first elected at the 1826 general election as a 'no Popery' Tory, opposing Catholic emancipation and supported by the corporation of the City of Coventry [2]

Fyler was re-elected unopposed at the 1830 general election

He gave his maiden speech opposing the use of impressment by the Royal Navy.[4] He was opposed to radical parliamentary reform and spoke against the introduction of annual parliaments, election by ballot and universal suffrage but favoured moderate reform such as the enfranchisement of cities.[5] Fyler was an opponent of the Corn Laws and spoke in the House of Commons on the subject of the distress caused by the Laws to working people.[6]

Fyler left the House of Commons at the 1831 general election where he lost his seat to Henry Bulwer, a Whig, who was a more enthusiastic supporter of parliamentary reform. Fyler unsuccessfully contested the Coventry seat again at the general election of 1832

References

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  1. ^ "Historic Hansard 1803-2005 - Mr Thomas Fyler".
  2. ^ a b c "FYLER, Thomas Bilcliffe (1788-1838), of 19 Dover Street, Piccadilly and Teddington, Mdx". History of Parliament Online.
  3. ^ "Mr Thomas Fyler, former MP, Coventry". TheyWorkForYou.
  4. ^ "Naval Estimates-Impressment of Seamen". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. 13 February 1827. col. 450–456.
  5. ^ "Distress and Reform (petition)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 11 March 1830. col. 176–176}.
  6. ^ "Distress of the Commercial and Industrious Classes of the Community". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 14 June 1827. col. 1288.