Women’s Enfranchisement
History: KS3, topic 15.3.1
Women’s Enfranchisement
In 1916, the government proposed a draft of the ‘Representation of the People Act’ to change the voting law.
Representation of the People Act
- The ‘Representation of the People Act’ would allow all men to vote.
- Millions of men serving the country in the trenches did not then have the right to vote under the current legislation.
- Women saw their chance and worked to persuade the Prime Minister David Lloyd George that women should also be allowed to vote.
Voting success
- In June 1917, MPs passed the new law by 385 votes to 55.
- In January 1918, the House of Lords passed the Representation of the People Act by 134 votes to 71.
- The Representation of the People Act became law in February 1918.
- The Act meant all men over 21 could now vote.
- All women over the age of 30 and women over 21 who were householders or married to a householder could also now vote.
Equal Franchise Act
- In 1928, the Equal Franchise Act was passed.
- The Equal Franchise Act gave all men and women over the age of 21 the vote.
- The Equal Franchise Act was the first time there was equality in voting laws for men and women in the UK.
Test yourself on Women’s Enfranchisement
When did the Representation of the People Act become law?