How far can the policies of Gladstone and Disraeli be characterized as reformist?

Both Gladstone and Disraeli enacted policies that could be considered reformist. That being said, one should be careful not to ignore the fact that there were elements of compromise, consolidation and even opportunism in both men's policy-making. Disraeli's effort under the ministry of Lord Derby in 1867 to co-opt the Reform Bill of the previous year put forward by Gladstone, and to make it into the Second Reform Act (and thus a Tory 'reform' victory) exhibits this well. Gladstone likewise achieved reform, but not without issues appearing. In 1869, Gladstone gave women ratepayers the right to vote in local elections, Forster’s Education Act in 1870 made provision for elementary schools to be set up across the country and Civil Service Reform in that year brought greater efficiency by introducing competitive tests for entry. Unfortunately, Gladstone's policies did contain contradictions, the Trade Union Act in 1871 established the legal right of Trade Unions to hold property and funds with legal protection, as well as the right to strike, whilst the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1871 made any form of picketing illegal. What is more, Disraeli's 'reforms' were not a cohesive program, but more a response to Royal Commissions of Inquiry, such as the Factory Acts of 1874 and 1878 or the Public Health Act of 1875. As such, both men did achieve reform, but this took place in the context of when it was opportune to do so, and potentially against a background of policies that were mismatched or simply a consolidation of those that had come before.