Since the early 1830s, the Liberals, for whom he stood, had been broadly supportive of religious liberty. His political platform embraced a list of issues, including a limited extension of the vote to a greater part of the population; bringing down taxes as far as possible; bringing down the duty on tea to help the poor; and free trade. He was in favour of liberty of conscience and civil and religious liberty, and was concerned about State involvement in education, particularly because this was usually expressed in favour of the Established Church.
His principal concern was to bring the issue of Jewish emancipation into the broader Liberal agenda of civil and religious liberty. He was determined that the Liberals should adopt Jewish Emancipation as a cause.
Letter "To the Independent Electors of the City of London" in the hand of Lionel de Rothschild written from New Court, 27 May 1852
The text which includes words crossed out, would appear to be the draft of a speech, or text for a printed notice, in which Baron Lionel sets out his case for election. The substantive text reads "Gentlemen, I beg once again to solicit the honor [sic] of your suffrages; a large body of my friends have already proposed me as one of the Candidates in the approaching election, and encouraged by their opinion, I now ask your support. Elected originally to vindicate the great principle of Religious Liberty, re-elected in order to prove that the citizens of London had not deserted that principle, I believe that on my success on the present occasion the final triumph of our cause depends, that cause for which you have done so much, and on behalf of which you were the first to bear a marked and generous testimony and which can succeed only by means of your continued and resolute exertions. Of my political views generally, I need not I think give any reiterated exposition, I cannot indeed refer to my past career in the House of Commons or to my conduct acting on your behalf as your Representative, because though freely chosen by the immense majority of my fellow citizens, though believed worthy by the House of Commons itself, to represent you, I have not been allowed to take my Seat, the voice of the people has been disregarded and their opinions set aside in consequence of the mistaken views, as I deem them, of our opponents. I may however appeal to my past professions and to my earnest support of freedom, whether it regards the commerce, the civil or the religious right of the people wheresoever by my exertions they could be promoted or protected. Identified as my success must be with the great cause, which you have hitherto, so consistently maintained, I place the issue with confidence in your hands. I remain Gentlemen, Your obliged and faithful servant, Lionel de Rothschild." [RAL 000/573/6/31]
