A lack of interest in political questions was not a characteristic of the University during the first half of the nineteenth century; and in this respect the contrast between the present and the past is very striking. During the first three decades of the century the Senate petitioned Parliament many times against the relief of Roman Catholics from their statutory disabilities; and on 21 March 1831 approved a petition against the Reform Bill which Lord John Russell had recently introduced. The University had ample precedent for adopting this mode of expressing its political sentiments; but as the petitions which it presented were nearly always in the Tory interest, it inevitably acquired the reputation of being the stronghold of the party which was falling out of favour with the nation. The Burgesses which the University returned to Parliament tell the same story, for a Whig or Liberal can be very rarely found among them.

Political considerations also influenced the choice of a Chancellor and a High Steward. These two officers were not expected to concern themselves with the ordinary routine academic business, and, indeed, could not, as they were invariably absentees; and they were held to have done their duty if they took a benevolent interest in the welfare of the University, occasionally visited it, and, when necessity arose, acted as its spokesman in Parliament. It was therefore thought essential that they should have a seat in one or other House of Parliament, and that when they spoke they should be able to command attention, either on account of their rank or their political distinction.