Which group of MPs opposed Chadwick's 'clean party'?

• A. The dirty party
• B. The wet party
• C. The old party
• D. The new party

Answer: (A)

The question tests understanding of the clash over public health reform in parliament. Chadwick pushed a program to clean up cities through better drains, sewerage, and a reliable water supply, arguing for active government action to improve health. Those who backed his push formed the “clean party.” The opposition came from MPs who disliked the cost and interference with local and private interests, rooted in the belief that reform should be limited and market forces or local decisions should prevail. They were labeled the “dirty party” by reformers to highlight their resistance to cleanliness and public health improvements. The other labels aren’t standard in this context, so the intended contrast is clean party versus dirty party.