John Wilkes seeks leave to bring in a bill to introduce a 'just and equal' parliament.
1779
Formation of the 'Yorkshire Association'; in favour of moderate parliamentary reform for which it petitioned parliament the following year.
1779
Spinners break into Arkwright's spinning-house near Chorley in Lancashire and set fire to it.
1783
William Pitt the Younger introduces a limited reform bill but it is defeated in the House of Commons.
1785
William Pitt the Younger introduces a bill to remove the representation of thirty-six rotten boroughs and to extend the electoral franchise to more individuals; the bill is defeated in the House of Commons.