Why was there opposition to the New Poor Law in the south? The New Poor Law concentrated too much on the rural able-bodied poor. They paid too little regard to problems of pauperisation caused by -physical/mental ill-health -old age - loss of parents

Bolton weaver expressed how he felt about the Poor Law Amendment Act ‘I am at this moment within 12 month of 60 years of age. I shall myself become a pauper. ... I view the present Poor Law Amendment Act as a system of coercion upon the poor man, and that very shortly I shall be under its dreadful operation. I have not merited these things. I am a loyal man, strongly attached to the institutions of my country, and a lover of my country.’

Resistance to the Act often took the form of riots and disorder Resistance to the Act often took the form of riots and disorder. In Cornwall local resistance meant that almost no workhouses were built. Typical Example – In May 1835 a mob took to the streets to prevent a small group of paupers being moved from Chesham to the new workhouse in Abersham. Locals saw the move as the beginning of the end for the old familiar workhouse and replacement of the new worse one. At first they prevented the transfer but were eventually forced to give way after magistrates read the riot act, swore in special constables and called up metropolitan police and yeomanry. Similar events throughout the South, there were disturbances in Kent 1835, and East Anglia as late as 1844.

Riot Act: The 1715 Riot Act made local magistrates responsible for the control of unruly citizens. If a crowd of more than 12 people did not disperse after the Riot Act was read to them then the magistrates could order their arrest. Yeomanry: A reserve volunteer force that could be used to suppress public disorder and to assist the regular army in the event of invasion or insurrection

However... None of these protests stopped the changes from happening The rural southern counties of England were held up by the Commission as an early and overwhelming success. Most of the 350 new workhouses that had been built by 1839 were in this region.