breadth 1: Changes in representation in Britain (1832-1928) Flashcards
1
Q
who is included in the franchise/ voter requirements in the 1832 GRA
A
- boroughs: adult male £10 householders
- counties: adult male £2 householders
- this allowed MC adult men to be enfranchised - not WC
2
Q
when were the 3 reform acts
A
- 1832
- 1867
- 1884
3
Q
How many adult males can vote from the 1832 reform act
A
- 1 in 5 adult males - 800,000
4
Q
outline the changes in representation in the 1832 GRA
A
- 56 rotten/ pocket boroughs were disenfranchised
- 145 borough seats were abolished
- 22 new 2 member boroughs created (e.g. 14 in London)
- 64 new county seats created so more populous counties gained more seats
5
Q
what is evidence of pressure from below for the 1832 GRA
A
- Swing Movement 1830: protests due to use of threshing (machinery) machines
- Days of May 1832: a period of social + political unrest after the Tories blocked the 3rd Reform Bill in the HoL
- Bristol Riots 1931: violent protests + destruction of property triggered by the rejection of the reform bill in 1831
- Atwood’s Birmingham Political Union: united MC + skilled WC, over 100,000 attended meetings - fuelled support for reform
6
Q
what was the 1858 Property Qualifications for MPs Act
A
- parliaments candidates / MPs no longer had to own property, thus opening up parliament to the MC + WC
7
Q
Why did the property qualification act 1858 come about
A
- Glover (MP), was arrested after his qualification as an MP included fraud, as his property was heavily mortgaged, however its estimated over 1/2 of the MPs did this
- the PQ was an outdated artificial barrier open to abuse for becoming an MP
8
Q
What changes did 1867 2nd reform act make to the franchise
A
- boroughs: adult males owning/ renting houses (householder franchise) could vote + £10 lodger owners (lodger franchise)
- counties: adult males owning/ leasing land worth £5
- this act enfranchised skilled working class men
9
Q
what was the proportion of men who could vote after the 1867 RA
A
- 1 in 3 adult males
- 1867 almost doubled the electorate
10
Q
What changes did 1867 2nd reform act make to representation
A
- 45 seats were taken from boroughs with populations less than 10,000
- 25 seats were given to counties
- cities like Leeds, Birmingham get a 3rd MP
11
Q
1867: _____ electorate grows by ___% ; the ___ dominate the borough electorate for the 1st time
A
- 1867: borough electorate grows by 134% ; the w/c dominate the borough electorate for the 1st time
12
Q
Give examples of the boroughs that gained seats in 1867
A
- Liverpool & Manchester get a 3rd MP
13
Q
what was the 1872 Secret Ballot Act
A
- introduced the secret ballot (private form of voting)
- decreased influence of land owners in elections
14
Q
what was the pressure from above for the 1872 SBA
A
- radicals: felt it would give voters more freedom
- Liberals: committed to electoral reform - this proposal had originally been included in 1832 + Gladstone felt compelled to accept policy ideas from radicals to keep Lib coalition together
15
Q
what was the 1883 Corrupt Practises Act
A
- set a limit on expenditure & prohibited treating & bribery
- it required expenditure to be accounted for + introduced penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment + expulsion from HofC
16
Q
Why did the 1883 Corrupt Practices Act come about
A
- the 1872 act didn’t stop bribery, & due to an increased electorate since 1867, more people to bribe
17
Q
What changes did 1884 make to the franchise
A
- household suffrage + the lodger franchise was extended to the counties
18
Q
How many adult males could vote due to the 1884 3rd RA
A
- 2 in 3 adult males, so 5.7 million could now vote
- it added 2.5m voters - mainly in rural areas
19
Q
outline the changes of the 1885 Redistribution Act
A
- boroughs with populations less than 15,000 lose all MPs
- those with less than 50,000 lose 1 MP
- 150 seats were redistributed to more densely populated counties - e.g. Yorkshire + Lancashire
- nearly all constituencies were single member + of similar size in terms of population
20
Q
Outline the Parliament Act (Parliament Act + Payment of MPs Act) 1911
A
- introduced salaries for MPs
- HofL prevented from rejecting or amending (changing) a money bill
- HofL could only delay legislation for up to 2 years
- the maximum term of a PLT reduced from 7 to 5 years
21
Q
Which party was most likely to benefit from the Parliament Act, 1911
A
- Labour; more w/c men can become MPs because of the introduction of MP salaries
22
Q
when was the Representation of the People Act
A
- 1918
23
Q
What changes did the 1918 RotPA make to the franchise
A
- women 30yrs+ who were householders/ married to one won the vote
- men 21yrs+ living at a fixed address for 6mnths win the vote
24
Q
in the 1918 RofPA, the number of voters tripled from ___m (1910) to ___m (1918)
A
- in the 1918 RofPA, the number of voters tripled from 7.7m (1910) to 21.4m (1918)
25
Q
Following the 1918 reform act, which adult remained excluded from the franchise
A
- women aged 21 to 30
26
Q
what was the name of the 1928 act
A
- the 1928 Equal Franchise Act
27
Q
who + how many extra voters were added to the electorate by the 1928 act
A
- 5 million new voters; all women 21+ could now vote
28
Q
define turning point
A
- turning point = a marked shift in development
29
Q
what are the 4 criteria used to assess reform acts
A
- electorate: numerical increase, makeup of gender / class
- distribution of seats across areas
- corruption: plural voting, secret ballot, expenditure, rotten boroughs
- payment of MPs
30
Q
outline the 1790 Acts under Pitt’s Govt
A
- seditious writings + publications act (1792): authorised Govt to use spies to infiltrate rad. groups
- suspension of habeas corpus (1794): allowed auth. to detain suspects w/o trial
- Treason Trials (1794): 40+ radicals (including LCS leaders Thomas Hardy, John Horn Tooke) arrested + charged with high treason
31
Q
state an example of a rotten borough before the 1832 GRA
A
- Dunwich
- Old Sarum
32
Q
between ______-__, when the economy was stable, there wasn’t a single _______ for political reform
A
- between 1824-29, when the economy was stable, there wasn’t a single petition for political reform
33
Q
name 2 significant whig reform acts
A
- The Factory Act 1833
- The Poor Law Amendment Act 1834
34
Q
outline the The Factory Act
A
- passed in 1833
- reduced child labour;
- those 9-13yrs could only work 8 hrs
- 13-18 could work max 12 hrs
- under 13s had to do 2 hrs of schooling
- inspectors were appointed to avoid abuse of these rights (but was only 4 for the whole of UK)
35
Q
outline The Poor Law Amendment Act
A
- passed in 1834
- aimed to address rising costs of poor relief + discourage welfare reliance
- no outdoor poor relief given to able-bodied poor
- workhouse conditions deliberately poor to deter use of poor relief
- led to public discontent
36
Q
the Corn Laws were seen as…
A
- the Corn Laws were seen as a symbol of the aristocracy’s privileged position
37
Q
after the 1832 GRA, _____ said it was “a final and _____ ____”, not a basis for future ______
A
- after the 1832 GRA, Peel said it was “a final and irrevocable settlement”, not a basis for future reform
38
Q
by ____, there were about ______ plural voters
A
- by 1910, there were about 500,000 plural voters
39
Q
outline Pitt’s proposed reforms
A
- between 1782-85, Pitt made 3 attempts to introduce parliamentary reform - focused on making distribution of seats fairer
- 1785: Pitt proposed a detailed reform bill which sought to abolish the 36 most corrupt boroughs + redistribute their 72 seats
- this bill failed to gain majority support - it was viewed as an attack on property rights + was known King George III opposed it
39
Q
outline economical reform in the 1780s
A
- Economical Reform was the name given to the policy of reducing royal patronage which followed Dunning’s Motion
- the number of Gov ministers + offices was reduced - thus saving money + limiting patronage (privilege)
39
Q
outline Dunnings Motion
A
- in the years before 1780, calls for reform began to grow
- this was connected to concerns about the conduct of the War of American Independence + the increased taxes that accompanied to
- in 1780, Dunning’s Motion was passed which stated that ‘the power of the Crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished’
40
Q
outline the Whigs role in reform
A
- more receptive to change than the Tories + were increasingly supportive to parliamentary reform
- the corruption of the unreformed system unfairly benefitted the Tories (monopolized off uncontested seats + pocket boroughs)
- Whigs came to view parliamentary reform as crucial for their success in Gov
40
Q
outline King George IV’s view of reform
A
- King George IV was a determined opponent to reform
40
Q
outline the Tories role in reform
A
- Tories were unlikely to agree to changes which were harmful to their own political prospects - they benefitted from the corruption of the unreformed system
- they did however agree to minor changes, such as the 1821 corrupt Cornish Borough being disenfranchised + its seats redistributed to Yorkshire
40
Q
what are 6 reasons for why demand for reform returned in 1830
A
- the collapse of the Tories
- death of George IV
- economic problems + popular unrest
- rise of Whigs
- French Revolution
- Catholic Emancipation Act 1829
41
Q
outline the long term social factors for why the Great Reform Act 1832 was passed
A
- the 1789 French Revolution sparked interest in reform, reformist ideas such as promoting liberty + equality became widespread + strongly supported in society
- working people, esp in industrial towns, were increasingly politicised - e.g. large numbers of pamphlets + newspapers spread radical political ideas to a wide and receptive audience - e.g. Cobbett’s Weekly Political Register
- the growth of large political meetings in the early 19thC focused on single issues - e.g. opposition to Corn Laws, as well as wider issues - e.g. Spa Fields 1817 demanding reform of PLT
41
Q
outline the short term social factors for why the Great Reform Act 1832 was passed
A
- in Bristol, protesters burned the palace of an anti-reform bishop + the house of an anti-reform MP
- Days of May 1832: when the 2nd bill was rejected by the HofL, the Birmingham Political Union (BPU) led 100,000 in a public, peaceful march
- when Wellington tried to form a Tory gov, unions threatened to create a financial crisis by urging people to take their money out of the banks
41
Q
outline the long term economic factors for why the Great Reform Act 1832 was passed
A
- agricultural unrest: since late 18thC, growth in rural population created too many agricultural labourers - wages declined + unemployment increased - new agricultural machinery exacerbated this
- Corn Laws 1815: caused widespread opposition as the price of bread rose. it was seen as an example of PLT promoting interests of land owners at expense of WC + MC - led to organised protests for reform
41
Q
outline the short term economic factors for why the Great Reform Act 1832 was passed
A
- severe economic crisis in late 1820s: 1828-30 harvests were poor - high food prices in cities
- Swing Movements 1830: riots in South England with arson attacks + destruction of threshing machines showed how bad the situation was for agricultural workers
41
Q
outline the long term political factors for why the Great Reform Act 1832 was passed
A
- death of Lord Liverpool in 1827 marked the end of Tory Party unity + supremacy
- internal divisions, esp over religious issues like Catholic Emancipation, split the Tory Party
- Wellington was criticised by Ultra Tories for passing the Catholic Relief Act in 1829 - this alienated Tories + strengthened their ability to oppose reform
41
Q
outline the short term political factors for why the Great Reform Act 1832 was passed
A
- George IV died and replaced by Willian IV who was more favourable to reform
- the 1830 General Election saw Wellington return to office but his refusal to back reform saw his gov defeated, forcing his resignation
- pro-reform Whig leader, Earl Grey, took over
42
Q
what was the most significant factor in the passing of the 1832 GRA
A
- the fall of Wellington was very significant in the barrier to political reform
- when Grey took office as head of Whigs, most people expected him to introduce reform
- pressure + expectation was at its highest level
43
Q
outline the growth of the county electorate from the 1867 2nd RA
A
- from the 1867 2nd RA, the county electorate grew by 46%
- in counties, most labourers still excluded from the franchise - it remained solidly MC
44
Q
give an example of the borough electorate growing from the 1867 2GRA
A
- in Birmingham, voters rise from 8,000 to 43,000
44
Q
outline the lack of progress from the 1867 2nd GRA
A
- overrepresentation continues - e.g. South England had 45 MPs, whilst North had 32, despite having 3x the population
- in counties, landed interests continue to dominate + the social comp of MPs changed little
- benefitted only the ‘respectable’ / landed WC
44
Q
what was the pressure from below for the 1867 2nd GRA
A
- population growth: by 1865, the pop had grown to 5 million compared to 1832, yet there was still no extension of franchise or redistribution to seats to growing urban areas
- radicalism: rise in reform movement, was a Hyde Park demonstration in 1866 which ended in violence - huge crowds, collapse of railings, was widely reported in the press
- economy: declined drastically in 1866 with collapse of some banks + subsequent collapse of many companies - poor weather conditions wiped out many crops
44
Q
outline the lack of progress from the 1872 SBA
A
- IN THE SHORT TERM, votes could still be bought + treating of voters remained commonplace until 1883 CPA
- the act didn’t immediately lead to the reduction of employers’ influence over their workers in urban areas
44
Q
what was the significance of the 1872 SBA
A
- IN THE LONG TERM, it enabled the system to become more representative + democratic, leading to an improvement in the efficiency of the electoral process
- it finally allowed political groups such as the Irish Home Rulers to oppose traditional powerful figures
44
Q
outline the lack of progress from the 1832 GRA
A
- the new voters weren’t convinced of the need for further reform - 1832 GRA successfully detached the MC from the WC
- Grey succeeded in his aim of preserving aristocratic influence in gov; e.g. all PMs for the next 30 years came from HofL (except Peel)
- equal electoral districts still didn’t exist - London + the North continued to be under-represented
- corruption + bribery continued
- property qualification + open ballot remain
44
Q
outline the significance of the 1883 CPA
A
- the act was successful - spending per vote decreased in the long term
45
Q
what was the pressure from above for the 1867 2nd GRA
A
- Liberals: believed they had stagnated on reform - now Palmerston was dead, was an opportunity + wanted to reform boroughs (where Lib appeal is strongest) - expediency
- Conservatives: ‘if reform is inevitable, Cons should jump in and take credit for it’
- Gladstone (Lib PM) in 1866 proposed reform bill
- Conservatives: felt 1832 favoured boroughs (where their vote was weakest) + believed boroughs to be overrepresented - expediency
- Conservatives: Disraeli believed that enfranchising skilled urban workers would create “Tory Democracy” WC supporters of Cons policies
45
Q
within _ years of the 1883 Corrupt Practices Act, the amount spent per vote fell from _ () to _ ()
A
- within 30 years of the 1883 Corrupt Practices Act, the amount spent per vote fell from 18s8d (1880) to 3s4d (1910)
45
Q
outline the pressure from below for the 1872 Secret Ballot Act
A
- 1868 election: was widespread violence, corruption and intimidation in this election - was widely reported in the media + received attention in courts of law
- but, was little evidence that popular pressure helped secure this act
46
Q
outline the limitations of the 1883 CPA
A
- given the limits on expenditure, the use of volunteers by parties was now essential
- costs of elections still remained high for those involved - e.g. costs of salaries of election agents
- since MPs were still not paid, 20% of elections remained uncontested (not debated)
47
Q
outline the significance of the 1884 3rd RA
A
- now, agricultural labourers + miners living in counties could vote
- the redistribution of rural seats + extension of the county franchise meant that the decline of aristocratic influence sped up - the stranglehold of the landowners was gone forever
48
Q
outline the Arlington St Compact
A
- was the price of the Conservatives (under Salisbury) supporting the Liberals (under Gladstone) for the 1884 3rd RA
- through this, Salisbury was able to influence to re-drawing of constituency boundaries so that many new distinctly suburban constituencies were created out of big towns + cities
- this was called ‘Villa Toryism’
48
Q
outline the pressure from above for the 1884 3rd RA
A
- Gladstone: keen to restore his waning popularity + to satisfy radical critics
- Chamberlain (rads): needed a radical measure to restore his credentials - he hoped electoral reform would provide further supporters in counties for radical reforms
- Salisbury (Cons): realised franchise extension wouldn’t be disastrous for his party if they could shape re-distribution of seats (esp in growing suburbs) - S drops oppositions once the Arlington St Compact is agreed
48
Q
outline the pressure from below for the 1884 3rd RA
A
- no significant popular demand for parliamentary reform existed in 1884
48
Q
outline the pressure from above for the 1885 Redistribution Act
A
- Salisbury/ Conservatives: S was able to influence to re-drawing of constituency boundaries through the Arlington St Compact
- created Villa Toryism
48
Q
outline the significance of the 1885 election
A
- due to the 1884 3rd RA, for the first time manufacturers + commercial MPs outnumbered landowners in the HofC
- the electoral system was now dominated by city + suburban interests
48
Q
outline the limitations to the 1885 Redistribution Act
A
- London’s MPs increased from 22 to 59, yet the North was still under-represented
- Ireland remained over-represented - meaning Irish Nationalists held the balance of power
- the Conservatives benefitted from splitting previously radical cities into several divisions
49
Q
outline the limitations of the 1884 3rd RA
A
- the complexities of the registration process + residential qualification effectively disenfranchised many working men
- plural voting (1 person voting more than once) continued - 500,000 in 1911
- many people still didn’t have the vote: adults living with parents, soldiers, those on poor relief, and women
49
Q
evidence of the Conservatives success from the Arlington St Compact
A
- success: Cons began to win most of the seats in London, compared to 0 in 1865
49
Q
outline the pressure from below for the 1911 Parliament Act
A
- there is little evidence of popular unrest
49
Q
outline the background to the 1911 Parliament Bill
A
- with the Lords’ vetoing powers, they could be overturning measures even if they had the support of the majority of the population
- as the HofC became more democratic + representative, the HofL became an anachronism (out of place)
- their vetoing of Lib measures on education + plural voting brought matters to a head, even though Lords were careful not to block any measures that had popular support
49
Q
outline the pressure from above for the 1911 Parliament Act
A
- 1909 election: when the HofL refused to pass the 1909 budget, an election (Peers v People) was held - once Libs had won, they introduced a bill to limit the power of the HofL
- Asquith: used warnings of impending serious popular unrest to force King to agree to appoint 500 new peers if HofL continue blocking Parliament Bill
50
Q
outline the pressure from below for the 1885 Redistribution Act
A
- no significant popular demand for parliamentary redistribution in 1885
51
Q
outline the significance of the 1911 Parliament Act
A
- allows Commons to overrule the Lords in some situations
- Lords’ power was substantially reduced - only delayed bills for 2 years - never again would a PM govern from the HofL
- working men could now enter Parliament as MPs
- salaries for MPs attract poorer men to PLT + allows for rise of Labour Party
79
Q
outline the changes to redistribution from the RotPA in 1918
A
- establishes 70,000 population as a key unit for 1 member constituencies
80
Q
outline the significance of the RotPA 1918
A
- significant boost for Labour: cheaper elections, enfranchisement of millions of WC men, payment of MPs (1911) etc
81
Q
how many can now vote from the 1918 RotPA
A
- number of voters was raised from 7.7m in 1910 to 21.4m in 1918
- this made it the most significant enlargement of the franchise in British history
82
Q
outine the limitations of the RotPA 1918
A
- 20% of women over 30 didn’t meet the qualifications to vote
- plural voting remains: 30,000 people + max of 2 votes - this was a conssesion to the Conservatives for supporting act
- the complexities of registrations disenfranchised about 7% of adult males who are enfranchised
83
Q
outline the Catholic Emancipation Act + its background
A
- background: in 1828, O’Connell, a Catholic Irish, stood for MP + won by huge majority, he was prevented taking his seat in Westminster
- Wellington faced a dilemma - face a civil war in Ireland or allow O’Connell/ other Catholics to sit in PLT
- in 1829, the Catholic Emancipation/ Relief Act was passed by Wellington, allowing Catholics to sit in PLT
84
Q
outline the Birmingham Political Union (BPU)
A
- BPU was founded in 1830 by Thomas Atwood
- was strong in its support from the MC + WC
- conducted in a disciplined and peaceful manner
- known for their role in Days of May 1831 for the 1832 (armed protests + strikes throughout UK)
85
Q
what was Whigs/ Greys attitude to reform
A
- ‘reform that ye may preserve’
- Grey advocated for minor reform to end further demands for reform + allow the landed class to stay in power
86
Q
what percentage of adult men could vote in 1780
A
- only 3% of the adult male population
87
Q
who was the Liberal party made up of
A
- the Irish
- Whigs
- Radicals
88
Q
outline Days of May
A
- 1832
- political unions met in London following Grey’s resignation + Wellington being asked to form a ministry to block any Tory administration
- Francis Place stated ‘Stop the Duke, Go for Gold’, meaning, those holding paper money to demand its gold equivalent from the banks, thus causing a financial crisis
89
Q
outline the extent of importance played by popular pressure for the 1832 GRA
A
- it did play a role, but a less dominant one than is assumed;
- due to stable econ conditions 1824-29, there wasn’t a single petition for political reform
- the main features of the reform bill was settled well before the height of popular pressure
- after March 1831, popular protest was in support of the Gov (e.g. for Whigs) and against those opposing reform - it wasn’t ‘radical’
90
Q
outline the Municipal Corporations Act
A
- passed in 1835
- councils were allowed to take over local aspects such as street cleaning - marked a shift towards more democratic + accountable local govts
- it defined the functions of local authorities - all ratepayers (mostly MC) with 3 years’ residence could vote in local elections
91
Q
what was the impact of the 1832 GRA on party organisation
A
- 1832 required that those enfranchised enter their names on an electoral register before they vote
- this intended to improve the administration of elections
- this gave a boost to local organization as parties tried to ensure that all their supporters were registered
- the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 encouraged party activism on a local scale
91
Q
outline the Litchfield House Compact
A
- formed in 1835
- was an informal political alliance between Whigs, Irish, and Radicals to oppose the Conservatives under Peel
- was successful - Peel resigned in April 1835
- this formed the Liberal Party
91
Q
outline the Anti-Corn Law League
A
- born in 1830s
- led by Cobden, Wilson and Bright
- aimed to overturn the Corn Laws - which were a symbol of aristocracy’s privileged position
- CLs were repealed in 1846, which the ACLL claimed credit for - but CLs were repealed due to Peel’s dislike of them
- Bright + ACLL moved their focus to political reforms in the 1850s - was peaceful + popular
92
Q
outline the assuredness of the Govt
A
- 1832 showed that when the elite are divided there is opportunity for significant change
- after Chartism, there is a long period of unity among elite (united against front of Chartism)
- Govt believed, in Peel’s words, 1832 was a ‘final and irrevocable settlement’ - not a staging post for further reform
92
Q
outline Palmerston’s role in reform
A
- Palmerston became Prime Minister (for Liberals) in 1855 at age 70
- although he had supported 1832 GRA, Palmerston was a clear opponent to electoral reform
- as long as P was alive, it was widely agreed that there would be no more political reform
- he died in 1865
92
Q
outline the Reform League + Reform Union
A
- in the 1860s, the workers association began focusing on reforming PLT through legal means
- they then formed the Reform Union (demanded household suffrage) in 1864 and the Reform League (demanded universal male suffrage) in 1865
- a Reform League demonstration in Hyde Park in 1866 ended in violence
93
Q
what are 3 factors of the Liberals that make them more inclined to reform
A
- faith in reform: Palmerston was a frustrating PM for the Libs - now he was dead, Libs were eager to be more dynamic
- positive view of the WC: WC grew their respectability - esp with their reaction to the US Civil War
- redress the political imbalance: Libs wanted to reform boroughs - where their appeal is strongest
93
Q
how did the WC grow their respectability
A
- they work on a program of self-improvement to show that they are worthy of the vote
- they saved money in banks (showed respectability + independence)
- friendly societies: early co-operative societies providing credit, welfare, insurance and pensions
- New Model Unions: respectable Trade Unions for craftsmen - provided benefits + high unemployment benefits
- their reaction to the US Civil War
93
Q
what was the Conservative view of reform for 1867
A
- 1832 was unfair as it gave too much say to boroughs where their vote was weaker
- they are motivated to change the system + if reform is going to happen, they might as well control it to the best of their ability
93
Q
outline the Hodgkinson Ammendment
A
- was the most radical amendment to the 1867 Reform Bill
- it allowed all householders to vote, regardless of how their rates were paid (indirectly or directly)
- this was seemingly insignificant, but resulted in 500,000 more WC men getting the vote
93
Q
outline personal political rivalry as a reason for the passing of the 1867 Reform Act
A
- Disraeli sought to undermine Gladstone at every turn - accepting amendments proposed by Radical Liberals but rejecting any from Gladstone
94
Q
outline popular pressure as a reason for the passing of the 1867 Reform Act
A
- in 1864, the Reform Union (Middle Class) was formed followed by the Reform League (Working Class) in 1865
- they put pressure on the Liberal Party for reform
- external pressure, such as demonstrations in Hyde Park, leading to violence + vandalism, as well as protests in industrial towns, added to the sense of urgency to get the bill passed
94
Q
outline party political rivalry as a reason for the passing of the 1867 Reform Act
A
- the Conservatives had been in opposition for the last 20 years - reform could give electoral advantage
- Cons under Lord Derby + Disraeli saw reform as a way to gain political advantage by passing it before the Liberals did
- they hoped the newly enfranchised electorate would vote for Conservatives
- Cons believed the 1832 RA was unfair - gave too much power to the boroughs where their vote was weakest - were motivated to change system
95
Q
after 1832, _ adults in counties were represented by _ MPs, whilst _ adults living in boroughs were represented by _ MPs
A
- after 1832, 11.5million adults in counties were represented by 162 MPs, whilst 8.5million adults living in boroughs were represented by 334 MPs
96
Q
who won the 1868 election + significance
A
- Liberals under Gladstone won
- Conservatives under Disraeli lost - thought they’d win after 1867 RA from which Conservatives enfranchised hundreds of thousands
97
Q
why did the Liberals win the 1868 election
A
- campaign: Gladstone realised new voters had to be won over so made a series of speeches to mass audiences across the UK - Disraeli did a single speech
- policy: the Whig tradition of religious toleration secured support from non-conformists + radicals. Lib slogan (‘Justice for Ireland’) helped unite party
97
Q
after _, _% of adult males were able to vote
A
- after 1885, 60% of adult males were able to vote
98
Q
what is the Chandos Clause
A
- this clause in the 1832 GRA extended voting rights to Tenant Farmers
- this change benefitted large landowners, who could influence how their tenants voted
- this strengthened the landed aristocracy’s control over county elections, expanded the franchise - but still left the WC disenfranchised and helped the landed class maintain political influence
99
Q
which act is Chandos Clause in
A
- 1832 GRA
