1.2.1 Key milestones in the widening of the franchise

Key Milestones in the Widening of the Franchise

The expansion of voting rights in the UK has been a gradual process, addressing issues of class, gender, ethnicity, and age. Key legislative acts have played a significant role in this evolution.

The 1832 Great Reform Act

Class:

• Background: Prior to 1832, the right to vote was limited to a small, wealthy segment of the population, primarily landowners.
• Changes: Extended the vote to men owning property worth at least £10, significantly increasing the electorate and reducing the dominance of "rotten boroughs" (areas with very few voters that still elected MPs).
• Impact: Added about 300,000 men to the electorate, focusing primarily on the middle class but still excluding the working class and women.

The 1918 Representation of the People Act

Class and Gender:

• Background: WWI highlighted the contributions of the working class and women to society and the war effort.
• Changes: Extended the vote to all men over 21 and women over 30 who met minimum property qualifications. This was because women over 30 were more likely to be married and be influenced by their husbands.
• Impact: Enfranchised 8.4 million women and 5.6 million men, making a significant step towards gender equality and widening the electorate to include many working-class men.

The 1928 Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act

Gender:

• Background: The continued campaign for gender equality in voting rights after the partial enfranchisement of women in 1918.
• Changes: Gave women electoral equality with men by extending the vote to all women over 21, regardless of property ownership. Extended the franchise to all adults over 21.
• Impact: Added about 5 million women to the electorate, achieving universal suffrage for all adults over 21 and marking a significant victory for the women's suffrage movement.

The 1969 Representation of the People Act

Age:

• Background: Social changes in the 1960s, including increased political activism among young people, highlighted the need to lower the voting age.
• Changes: Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
• Impact: Enfranchised millions of younger voters, reflecting changing attitudes towards the maturity and political engagement of young adults.

These legislative changes reflect the UK's journey towards a more inclusive and democratic electoral system, progressively addressing class, gender, and age inequalities in voting rights.

Summary of Key Milestones:

1832 Great Reform Act:

• Focus: Class
• Extended vote to middle-class men with property, reduced rotten boroughs.

1918 Representation of the People Act:

• Focus: Class and Gender
• Gave vote to all men over 21 and women over 30 with property qualifications.

1928 Representation of the People Act:

• Focus: Gender
• Established electoral equality by giving all women over 21 the vote.

1969 Representation of the People Act:

• Focus: Age
• Lowered the voting age to 18, recognizing younger voters.