Thomas Bilcliffe Fyler MP (12 September 1788 – 4 March 1838)[1][2] was a British Tory politician who represented Coventry in the House of Commons from 10 June 1826 to 25 July 1831.[3]
Early life
Fyler was an army officer and barrister. He attended Winchester School 1799-1806, before going up to Christ Church, Oxford then to Lincoln's Inn[2]
Parliamentary career
Fyler was first elected at the 1826 general election as a 'no Popery' Tory, opposing Catholic emancipation and supported by the corporation of the City of Coventry [2]
Fyler was re-elected unopposed at the 1830 general election
He gave his maiden speech opposing the use of impressment by the Royal Navy.[4] He was opposed to radical parliamentary reform and spoke against the introduction of annual parliaments, election by ballot and universal suffrage but favoured moderate reform such as the enfranchisement of cities.[5] Fyler was an opponent of the Corn Laws and spoke in the House of Commons on the subject of the distress caused by the Laws to working people.[6]
Fyler left the House of Commons at the 1831 general election where he lost his seat to Henry Bulwer, a Whig, who was a more enthusiastic supporter of parliamentary reform. Fyler unsuccessfully contested the Coventry seat again at the general election of 1832
References
