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Steps Towards Democracy

Steps Towards Democracy. 1832 - 1928. Factors. Britain’s progress towards democracy during this period is considered through examination of the following factors The extension of the franchise (vote) Tackling corruption and the redistribution of seats (MPs)

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Steps Towards Democracy

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  1. Steps Towards Democracy 1832 - 1928

  2. Factors Britain’s progress towards democracy during this period is considered through examination of the following factors • The extension of the franchise (vote) • Tackling corruption and the redistribution of seats (MPs) • The reduction in the powers of the House of Lords and payment of MPs

  3. The 1832 Reform Act • Electorate increased from 435,000 to 652,000 but only one in every five males had the vote • Uniform voting system introduced for the whole country – based on owning or renting property at set values • MPs redistributed - given to new industrial towns – taken from areas where population was falling

  4. The 1832 Reform Act • Effects of urbanisation recognised • MPs still came mainly from the south of England after 1832 • MPs still had to own land • No secret ballot • Act led to working class agitation – demanded the vote - Chartists

  5. 1867 Reform Act • Electorate increased to 2.5 million • One male in every three now had the vote • Voting qualification changed – still based on owning or renting property – set values lowered in towns and the countryside • MPs seats redistributed – taken from areas where population had fallen – given to areas where population had increased – mainly growing towns

  6. 1867 Reform Act • Political power remained in the hands of the middle classes – shopkeepers, landowners, tenant farmers, tradesmen, house owners – but skilled workers and occupiers (not just owners) of houses in towns now had the vote • Political parties were forced to change – had to appeal to a wider range of voters – Liberals and Conservatives developed as national organisations

  7. 1872 Ballot Act • Introduced to combat problem of bribery in elections • Voting in secret • Corruption controlled but not completely wiped out e.g. four towns in England lost their MPs due to corrupt practices between 1867 and 1885

  8. 1883 Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act • Candidates expenses for elections were limited - based on the size (population) of the constituency • Restrictions on what money could be spent on • Election agents had to keep accurate accounts of spending • Corrupt practices clearly identified • Punishments for breaking the law – disqualification, fines, prison

  9. 1884 Representation of the People Act • Demand for equal voting rights for males living in country areas • Electorate increased from 2.5 to 5 million • Two out of every three men now had the vote • Occupiers of houses (not just owners) in country areas given the vote • Voting qualifications in town and country were now identical i.e. payment of £10 per year rent

  10. 1885 Redistribution of Seats (MPs) Act • Aimed to create constituencies (areas represented MPs) of equal size • Towns with smaller populations lost seats • Larger towns kept two MPs • Universities kept two MPs! • Most of the country divided into single member constituencies (one MP)

  11. 1885 Representation of the People Act Impact on Scotland • Number of MPs increased - 53 to 72 • MPs seats redistributed based on population increase e.g. Lanarkshire, Fife, Perthshire and Renfrewshire • Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen gained MPs

  12. Effects of 19th Century Reforms • Moved Britain closer to democracy • However women, domestic servants, sons living at home, poor people, soldiers in barracks and those who failed to pay rates (local council taxes) were excluded • Plural voting still existed – one person could own property and vote in different areas • Universities still elected MPs (abolished in the 1950s)

  13. 1911 Parliament Act • Reduction in powers of the House of Lords • Lords recognised as subordinate to the Commons – Commons elected by the people – Lords mainly hereditary • House of Commons introduced new laws – Lords expected to examine, criticise and revise • Lords opposed many new Liberal laws after 1906 • Liberals decided to reduce powers

  14. 1911 Parliament Act • Lords powers over laws about taxation and government spending limited • Could change or reject other laws but only for two sessions of parliament – time limit – laws would eventually be passed • Lords only rarely used remaining powers after 1911 – afraid of losing more of their authority

  15. 1911 Payment of MPs • Parliament was mainly made up of upper or middle class MPs • Working class people could only stand for parliament if sponsored • Payment of MPs allowed working class people to become MPs • Made parliament more representative of the British people

  16. 1918 Representation of the People Act • Suffragist/Suffragette campaigns • Effects of women’s role in World War One • Vote given to all men over 21 and all women over 30 • General elections were to be held over one day

  17. 1928 Representation of the People Act • All women over 21 given the vote • Equality with men • All adults over 21 now had the vote but not Lords, the insane or prisoners The vote was later extended to all over 18 however parliament today is still mainly white, male and middle class

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