Democracy In Britain Flashcards
How did fairness show democracy in Britain by 1928?
Secret ballot act 1872 freed voters from intimidation.
Corrupt and illegal practices act 1883 put cap on campaign spending.
Re-distribution of seats in 1867, 1885 and 1918 all helped create a fairer system of voting.
The effectiveness of these varies; they were less effective in areas where the electorate was small, or where a landowner or employer was dominant in an area, e.g Norwich.
How did the vote show Britain’s democracy by 1928?
In 1867 most skilled working class men in towns got the vote.
In 1884 many more men in the country side were given the vote
In 1918 most men over 21 and some women over 30 given vote
Finally, in 1928 all men and women over 21 given vote
How did choice show democracy in Britain by 1928?
Although the working class electorate increased by 1880s there was no national party to express their interests. The liberals and conservatives promoted middle, even upper class capitalist values. The spread of socialist ideas and trade unionism led to the creation of the prototype labour party in 1900, offering a wider choice to the electorate.
How did access to information show democracy in Britain by 1928?
Education- in the later 19th Century there was a great increase in literacy, and hence access to information on which to base choice. Also railways spread information nationally and were important to the growth in democracy.
How did National Party organisation show democracy in Britain by 1928?
As the size of the electorate grew, individual political parties had to make sure their message got across to electorate eg development of National Liberal Federation, Conservative Central Office, Primrose League.
How did the power of the house of lords show democracy in Britain by 1928?
From 1911 Lords could only delay bills from the House of commons for two years rather than veto them. They had no control over money bills.
How did widening opportunity to become an MP show democracy n Britain by 1928?
The property qualification to be an MP was abolished 1858. Payment for MPs began in 1911 enabling working class men to sit. By 1928 parliament was much more fully representative f British peole.
What Points were still to be resolved?
Undemocratic abnormalitites- plural votes and the university constituencies- were not abolished until 1948
In 1949 the two year delaying power of the house of lords was reduced to only one year, but the power of house of lords law making continues.
Voting system still first past the post in UK
