1883 Franchise Act

Question 1

What is the background content before the Act was passed?

Answer 1

-seats still unfairly distributed
-increase in education since 1870
-urban household enfranchised 1867 rural households wanted vote on same terms
-growth of trade unionism

Question 2

How was the Act passed?

Answer 2

-Feb 1884 Gladstone had lib majority in commons, proposed bill, debated+passed
-Lords (led by Salisbury) rejected Bill
-cons wanted redistribution if seats to benefit them
-Arlington street compact: compromised agreement gave libs the franchise extension and cons their redistributed seats
-1884 franchise act passed + 1885 redistribution seats = 3rd reform act

Question 3

What were the terms and features of the Act?

Answer 3

-Applied to whole of UK
-vote given to all male householders in the counties/male lodgers occupying land/housing £10+ a year but resident 1+ year

Question 4

What was the impact of this Act?

Answer 4

-estimate 2 million agricultural worked added to electorate
-2in3 men can now vote
-no women could vote
-servants/soldiers could meet 12 month residency qualification
-m-c involvement in politics increased