Repeal and British Politics, 1830–1845

Political pundits underestimated their man. O’Connell was immediately a powerful presence in the House of Commons. He played the parliamentary game with skill and dexterity. Occasionally his speeches were scurrilous-a tactic to bait opponents while pleasing the folks back home-but in general he adjusted his style to the House of Commons. Even his enemies had to concede that he was one of its leading debaters. He used his beautiful speaking voice to argue Irish grievances passionately and reasonably to plead the case for Irish reform and repeal of the union.