Constitutionalism and Suffrage.

The British electoral system of the early 19th century was viewed as extremely unfair and in need of
reform. In 1831, only 4,500 men could vote in parliamentary elections, out of a population of more than
2.6 million people. There were also concerns about parliamentary representation, as there were rotten
boroughs, such as Dunwich in Suffolk, who could elect two MPs when they only had a population of 32
in 1831. In contrast, large cities, which had expanded over the previous century, including Manchester
and Birmingham, had no MP. With increased pressure for electoral reform, parliament inevitably had to
make changes.

The Great Reform Act of 1832 was a response to increasing criticism of the electoral system.
Government began to fear that, if reform did not take place, then a revolution would ensue, as it had in
France in July 1830. For example, a petition from the people of South Shields requested reform as they
felt they deserved a right to vote and wanted more parliamentary representation. 1

The petition was created by ‘merchants, manufactures, shipowners and other inhabitants of the town’,
but these groups would continue to be excluded from voting even following the 1832 Act. 2

Despite what its title may suggest, the Act did not signify great change to the electoral system. Most
working men still could not vote, with the franchise being restricted by property qualifications. The
continuing discrimination against working class men within politics merely angered many and led to the
formation of groups for universal manhood suffrage.

The Chartist Movement developed after the 1832 Reform Act failed to extend the vote beyond those
owning property. Its members were typically from the working class and their 1838 People’s Charter
was established by the London Working Men’s Association. The petition had six demands:

1. Universal suffrage
2. The secret ballot
3. Annual Parliamentary elections
4. No property qualifications
5. Equal voting districts
6. Payment of Members of Parliament

Women´s rights to vote.

The modern campaign to secure the right to vote for women began in the mid-19th century.
This aim was partially achieved with the Representation of the People Act 1918, which allowed some
women over the age of 30 to vote in national elections.

The Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act followed later the same year and allowed women to stand
as Members of Parliament.
It was not until the Equal Franchise Act was passed in 1928 that women won the same voting rights as
men.

Those campaigning peacefully for women's suffrage were called suffragists. From the early 20th century
some women who pursued militant methods of campaigning were known by the initially derogatory
term 'suffragettes', a description first used by the Daily Mail in 1906.

However, the term was adopted by women themselves and became widely used.

Right to vote

Women felt they should have the right to vote for many reasons, particularly because they had to pay
taxes and abide by the law, just as men did. They believed they had an equal right to influence
Parliament and government by voting.

Key developments in voting rights in England

Pre-1832

Counties: From 1429 the right to vote was given to men aged 21 or over, owning freehold lands or
tenements with an annual net value of 40s or more.

Boroughs: The franchise varied widely according to local custom. It could range from extensive
electorates of all male heads of households, to freemen only or to the so-called ‘rotten’ or ‘pocket’
boroughs, where only a handful of people could vote.

Norfolk boroughs which elected members to parliament were Norwich, King’s Lynn, Great Yarmouth and
Thetford.

Before the 1832 Reform Act (see below), Castle Rising had the status of a parliamentary borough. It is
often cited as an example of a rotten borough, due to its very small population.

1832

Counties: The Reform Act extended the county franchise to men who owned or occupied lands and
tenements worth between £2 and £5 per annum, thus including tenants for the first time.

Holders of property worth more than £10 were also given the right to vote. It has been estimated that
about one in seven men were then entitled to vote.

Boroughs: Owners or tenants of buildings worth at least £10 per annum were given the vote.

However, this was provided that they had occupied the building(s) for at least 12 months prior to the
registration date and had paid the appropriate poor rates and taxes. It was also necessary to live within
seven miles of the borough.
1867

Counties: All male owners of real estate worth £5 or more were enfranchised with the passing of the
Second Reform Act, together with those who occupied land and paid rent of £50 or more per year.

The vote was also extended to owners and tenants of lands with the rateable value of £12 or more who
were paying taxes.

Boroughs: The vote was extended to all male owners and tenants of dwelling-houses under the act, as
well as most occupiers paying at least £10 rent per annum.

This resulted in a large increase in urban voters.

1869

Some women received a vote in local government elections, provided they had the necessary property
qualifications and paid rates.

1884

The third Reform Act was passed. The borough qualification granted in 1867 was now extended to the
counties.

Therefore freeholders of inherited land worth 40s, freeholders of any land worth £5 and certain
leaseholders, occupiers and lodgers were now enfranchised.

The majority of male householders over 21 were now entitled to vote, but residence in one place for 12
months was required.

It has been estimated that just over 60% of men over 21 now had the right to vote.

1918

The ‘Representation of the People’ Act was passed. All males over 21 were now eligible to vote, as were
women over 30 who were householders (ie local government electors) or wives of householders.

The residential qualification period was reduced to six months.

1928

The vote was granted to women over 21.

1969

The age limit for voting was reduced to 18