Summary of laws and changes

Britain's Journey to Democracy (1851-1951)

Introduction

From 1851 to 1951, Britain underwent a series of transformative changes that progressively democratized its society and political system.

Key Democratic Changes and Milestones:

Newspaper Stamp Act, 1855

• Abolished the Stamp Duty (tax) on newspapers.
• Made newspapers more affordable, thus accessible to a larger audience.

Property Qualification for MPs Act, 1858

• Prior requirement for MPs to be landowners was eliminated.
• Opened parliamentary participation beyond the landed elite.

Second Reform Act, 1867

• Extended voting rights to certain segments of the working class.
• Resulted in 1/3 of all UK men (who met specific criteria) gaining the right to vote.

Ballot Act, 1872

• Introduced secret voting.
• Ensured private and unbiased voting by individuals.

Compulsory Primary Education Act, 1872

• Mandated primary education for all children in Scotland aged 5-13.
• Elevated the overall education level across the UK.

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Summary of laws and changes

Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act, 1883

• Set spending limits during elections.
• Regulated campaign expenditures, prohibiting spending on items like food and alcohol.

Third Reform Act, 1884

• Expanded voting rights further into the working class.
• Equalized voting rights between urban and rural men, given certain conditions.

Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885

• Reallocated parliamentary seats, favoring urban areas.
• Benefited regions like Scotland and northern England with more MPs.

Elections Corrupt Practices Act, 1885

• Legally mandated time-off for workers to vote during elections.
• Ensured no bias in granting this privilege.

Committee Formation, 1900 (Labour Party in 1906)

• Birth of a new political entity with strong ties to trade unions.

Parliament Act, 1911

• Introduced salaries for MPs.
• Curtailed the powers of the House of Lords, especially concerning financial legislations.

Representation of the People Act, 1918

• Extended voting rights to all men aged 21+.
• Granted voting rights to some qualified women (40%).

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Summary of laws and changes

Qualification of Women Act, 1918

• Allowed women aged 21+ to contest elections.
• Highlighted the irony where women could stand for elections but couldn't necessarily vote.

Equal Franchise Act, 1928

• Extended voting rights to all women aged 21+, independent of their socio-economic background.
• Achieved gender parity in voting rights.

Conclusion

Over a century, Britain transitioned from a limited suffrage system to a more inclusive democracy. This evolution was marked by significant legislations, each contributing to a broader, fairer political landscape.