Parliamentary Reform - The Representation of the People Act 1867 Flashcards
What was the pressure to pass the Act - Who died and what was the significance of this?
Anti-reform Liberal PM Palmerstone died – new leader Russell, with Gladstone, thought that working-class craftsmen (‘respectable working classes’) deserved the vote
What was the pressure to pass the Act - What happened to the govs around this time?
Russell had become PM in 1865 with Gladstone as his Chancellor - they attempted to pass a Lib reform bill that failed due to vehement opposition from the Tories and some Whigs - this led to the Lib gov resign and Lord Derby taking over as PM of a minority Con gov with Disraeli as his Chancellor
What was the pressure to pass the Act - Which groups were formed around this time?
In 1864, the Reform Union (middle class) was formed, and later the Reform League (working class) in 1865 – these pressured the Libs for reform
What was the pressure to pass the Act - How did the Cons view the Act?
The Cons saw the bill as a way to gain political advantage before the Libs could – Disraeli knew that passing a limited extension would win over Lib MPs and a substantial number of votes
What was the pressure to pass the Act - How did Disraeli further weaken the Libs?
To further weaken the Libs, Disraeli accepted amendments proposed by radical Libs but rejected ones from Gladstone – he also replaced the Lib proposal with qualifications to vote that were tougher but looked more generous
What was the pressure to pass the Act - What was the role of Lord Derby?
While Disraeli was Con leader in the Commons, Derby was Con leader in the Lords, and drummed up support for the bill in the Lords
What was the pressure to pass the Act - What were the economic conditions like at the time?
External pressure, such as a demonstration in Hyde Park which led to violence and vandalism, as well as protests in industrial towns, added to the pressure – this was made worse by a cotton famine as a result of the Independence War with America, leading to widespread unemployment, which only made public want for a reform bill stronger
What did the Act do - Boroughs
Extended the vote in boroughs to householders and lodgers who had been resident at least 12 months - increased the urban electorate to 1.2 million
What did the Act do - Counties
Historic 40 shilling franchise was retained - gave the vote to landowners of land worth £12 or more
What was the impact of the Act - Electorate figure changes
Electorate virtually doubled to 2 million
What was the impact of the Act - Urban areas (EG Birmingham and Blackburn)
Largest change was in urban areas – in Birmingham voter number rose from 15,500 to 42,000 – in Blackburn voting numbers rose from 1,800 to 9,700
What was the impact of the Act - Plural voting
Plural voting continued
