The Rise of Democracy in the
United Kingdom: 1850-1928
Reasons for Initial Changes
Shift in population – rural to urban
Better education and rise in literacy
French Revolution showed what ‘people
power’ could do
Rise of Middle Class businessmen
Reform groups were set up early C19,
e.g. Birmingham Political Union (1830)
The Chartists
Early Changes (pre-1850)
1929 – Roman Catholics were given the
right to become MPs
1832 Reform Act (Great Reform Act):
fierce opposition but passed on third
attempt.
Mainly affected Middle Class men in
boroughs. Electorate increased by
approximately 280,000 and some towns
gained an MP
Other C19th Reforms
Second Reform Act, 1867:
Passed by Disraeli (Conservative Party)
Disreali did not want to include w.c men, but
felt the need to extend the franchise because
of agitation in the country
Householders with 1 years residence could
vote
Lodgers living in accommodation worth £10
pa could vote (£5 in counties)
Occupiers of premises with rateable value of
£12 pa were granted the vote
52 More seats became available to
cities, towns and universities
Scotland gained 15 MPs
Electorate rose to 2.5 million from just
over 1 million
Gave more working class men the vote
than had been intended – implications
for future campaigning.
Representation of the People Act
1884
Passed by Gladstone (Liberal Party)
Liberals were a party of reform
Did not go as far as Liberals hoped
Electorate rose to 5 million
All householders and lodgers paying
£10 per year could vote (boroughs and
counties)
2/3 of all men in England could vote
The way people voted
Changed dramatically in 1872 with the
Secret Ballot Act – got rid of the
hustings and intimidation. (Gladstone)
The Corrupt and illegal Practices Act of
1883 dealt with corruption during
campaigns. (Gladstone)
The sizes of Constituencies
Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 aimed
to make constituencies equal sizes
Total number of MPs rose to 670 from
652
Scotland gained 72 seats
Universities kept 2 seats
Notable changes were felt in cities like
Glasgow – gained 4 MPs
Early C20 Changes
Choice for working class voters increased
with the formation of the Labour Party in 1903
Rise in Trade Union membership
1911 brought the Parliament Act which
achieved three things:
i) MPs received a salary
ii) length of parliament reduced to 5 years
from 7
iii) House of Lords could no longer reject Bills
indefinitely
women
Representation of the People Act 1918
gave women over the age of 30 (and all
remaining men over 21) the vote
Representation of the People Act 1928
gave the remainder of females over 21
the vote
Arguments over women’s suffrage: war,
suffrage movements or natural
progression?
Pressure Groups
The Social Democratic Federation SDF
The Fabian Society
The TUC
WSPU
NUWSS
New Liberalism
Labour Party/working men clubs
Possible Questions?
“To what extent was Britain a
democracy at the outbreak of World
War One?”
“Explain why Parliament gave the right
to vote to increasing numbers of people
between 1867 and 1928”
“How important was the role of political
pressure groups in the growth of
democracy between 1860 and 1914?”