Beales is best known as the President of the Reform League who campaigned for representation of the working classes in parliament and whose efforts culminated in the Reform Act 1867. The League is principally remembered for two great demonstrations in Hyde Park both of which were banned by the Government. At the first, on 23 July 1866, the League resolved to assemble at Marble Arch outside the Park and attempt to enter. A massive crowd assembled at the Arch and Beales attempted to enter the Park. The police prevented this amid scuffles. Part of the crowd then pulled down the railings and entered the Park. Three days of what are variously described as "skirmishes" or "riots" ensued.Foot, Paul. The Vote. Penguin. 2006 pp 148-9Harrison Royden. Before The Socialists. Routledge and Keegan Paul. 1965 p 82 The disturbances ceased after Beales met with the Home Secretary and offered to talk the revellers into leaving the Park.
