Jacques Necker vs Robert Peel

Necker was appointed Director General of Finances by Louis XVI. As a Protestant and banker, he was not given the title of Controller-General but effectively managed France's finances during a fiscal crisis.

Necker published the Compte Rendu, a public summary of the royal finances that showed a surplus. The report boosted his popularity but was later criticized for omitting the true extent of the deficit.

Necker was dismissed by Louis XVI on July 11, 1789, after advocating for the Third Estate in the Estates-General. His dismissal sparked public outrage and contributed to the storming of the Bastille three days later.

After the fall of the Bastille, Necker was recalled by Louis XVI to calm the revolutionary fervor. He attempted to stabilize the economy but was unable to control the radicalization of the Revolution.

Necker resigned as finance minister in 1790, disillusioned with the direction of the Revolution. He retired to Switzerland, where he wrote memoirs defending his policies.

As Home Secretary, Peel established the Metropolitan Police Act in 1829, creating the first modern professional police force in London. Officers became known as 'bobbies' or 'peelers' after him. This model was later adopted across Britain and influenced policing worldwide.

Peel, despite earlier opposition, supported the Catholic Relief Act 1829, which removed most restrictions on Catholics in the UK. This allowed Catholics to sit in Parliament and hold public office. The act was passed to avoid civil war in Ireland.

Peel issued the Tamworth Manifesto in December 1834, outlining the principles of the new Conservative Party. It accepted the Reform Act of 1832 and advocated for moderate reform, establishing the modern Conservative Party's platform and defining 'One Nation' conservatism.

Peel's government passed the Mines Act 1842, which prohibited women and girls from working underground in coal mines and set a minimum age of 10 for boys. This was a significant labor reform, improving working conditions in the mining industry.

Peel, as Prime Minister, repealed the Corn Laws in June 1846, ending tariffs on imported grain. This split the Conservative Party, as many protectionists opposed free trade. Peel's government fell immediately after, but the repeal lowered food prices and shaped British economic policy.