1.2 - A wider franchise and debates over suffrage

Question 1

Significant acts of suffrage - what is the 1832 Great Reform Act?

Answer 1

Limited but a symbolically important development - extended the franchise to new classes of people including shopkeepers and small farmers and anyone whose property = £10 rent per annum - proportion of adults with the franchise rises from 4% to 6% - women not allowed to vote

Question 2

Significant acts of suffrage - What is the Representation of the People Act 1918?

Answer 2

Most adult men are given the right to vote as well as women over 30 who are married, own property, or have graduated

Question 3

Significant acts of suffrage - What is the Representation of the People Act 1928?

Answer 3

Extends the franchise to all adults over 21 including women

Question 4

Significant acts of suffrage - What is the Representation of the People Act 1969?

Answer 4

Voting age in the UK lowered from 21 to 18

Question 5

Suffragettes and extending the franchise - When was the first petition on women’s franchise presented to Parliament?

Answer 5

1866

Question 6

Suffragettes and extending the franchise - When was the NUWSS formed, by who, and with what methods?

Answer 6

NUWSS formed in 1897 by Millicent Fawcett - internally democratic with peaceful campaigning

Question 7

Membership of NUWSS by 1914?

Answer 7

100,000 members across 400 branches by 1914

Question 8

Why, when and who created the WSPU?

Answer 8

Pace of change seen as too slow by some - led to the creation of the WSPU in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst

Question 9

Methods used by the WSPU?

Answer 9

More violent methods - EG chaining themselves to railings, attempting to blow up buildings, destroying letter boxes and hunger strikes in prison

Question 10

Impact of WSPU violence on supporters and gov?

Answer 10

Violence drew attention to the WSPU but also alienated supporters - fear of violence on the part of gov led to the passing of the 1918 Representation of the People Act

Question 11

Modern campaign to extend suffrage - Votes at 16 - What is votes at 16?

Answer 11

Votes at 16 is a coalition of a number of groups who believe the vote should be given to 16 and 17 year olds at generals

Question 12

Modern campaign to extend suffrage - Votes at 16 - How many members does the group have as of June 2020?

Answer 12

4290 registered supporters as of June 2020 - 2023 data not available

Question 13

Modern campaign to extend suffrage - Votes at 16 - Methods used by Votes at 16? (4)

Answer 13

• Producing and publishing info through its website
• Providing templates and advice on how to email MPs to raise the issue in Parliament
• Providing info on how to campaign locally
• Providing advice on how to lobby MPs

Question 14

Modern campaign to extend suffrage - Votes at 16 - Successes of votes at 16? (3)

Answer 14

• Lowering the voting age to 16 was on the Lab, LibDem, SNP, PlaidCymru, and Green manifestos in 2019
• Voting age has been lowered to 16 in SC and WL elections
• Voting age lowered to 16 for SC referendum in 2014

Question 15

Modern campaign to extend suffrage - Votes at 16 - Shortcomings of Votes at 16? (2)

Answer 15

• Ultimately hasn’t achieved its goal yet of votes at 16 in Westminster elections
• Victim of politics - young people tend to not vote Tory so the Tory gov would never sanction the addition of 1.5 million potential anti-Tories to the electoral role call

Question 16

Pros of votes at 16? (2)

Answer 16

• Many policies affect them EG education funding and minimum wage
• It would encourage young people to get involved in politics and educate themselves EG 2014 SC referendum

Question 17

Cons of votes at 16? (3)

Answer 17

• Younger voters traditionally have a low turnout at elections so how many 16-17 year olds would actually vote
• 16-17 year olds lack life awareness to make difficult decisions
• 16-17 year olds are in full time education therefore don’t have full adult responsibility