History of the UK Franchise
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 1.2.1
History of UK Suffrage
Before the Great Reform Act, there were several problems with the UK franchise. These were addressed over the last two centuries, and the UK has greatly reformed the franchise.
Franchise/suffrage
- Suffrage, or having the franchise, is the right and ability to engage in politics and vote in an election.
- “Extending” the franchise means increasing the number of people who can vote in elections.
Problems with the UK franchise
- By the early 1800s, only 400,000 people could vote. Constituencies were boroughs or counties.
- Rules meant that some wealthy individuals could vote multiple times, but others could not vote at all.
- Different boroughs had different rules on who could vote.
- Small “rotten” boroughs with few people living there had an MP, but growing industrial cities didn’t have enough representation.
- Constituency reform was needed.
- Women were excluded, as were many working class men.
Acts of Parliament for Franchise
One of the main ways the UK has reached near-universal suffrage is through successive governments passing Acts of Parliament.
1832 Great Reform Act
- Many rotten boroughs were abolished, and representation was given to urban areas like Manchester.
- In the counties, more people were given the franchise, like tenant farmers.
- The Act gave the vote to middle class people in the boroughs, such as small landowners and shopkeepers.
- Most working men could not vote still because the Act still required property.
1918 Rep of the People Act
- 1918 Representation of the People Act.
- The 1918 Act let women vote in general elections.
- Women who were married, owned property, or were graduates, and aged over 30 were given the vote
- All men aged over 21 were given the vote
- The wartime coalition government passed the 1918 Act.
- The act passed partly because of pressure to give the vote to working class men without property who had served their country in the army.
1928 Rep of the People Act
- The 1928 Act extended suffrage to all women.
- The 1928 Act was passed under a Conservative government.
1969 Rep of the People Act
- 1969 Representation of the People Act.
- The Act lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 following changing attitudes towards adulthood in the UK.
- It was passed under a Labour government.
Test yourself on History of the UK Franchise
How many people were included in the franchise in the early 1800s?
Which statements are true about the UK franchise in the early 1800s?
Who was given the vote in 1918 Representation of the People Act?
Which of these are examples of acts that extended suffrage?