Franchise and Suffrage

Suffrage

the right and ability to engage in politics and vote in an election

Extending the franchise

increasing the number of people who can vote in elections

How many people could vote by the early 1800’s?

400,000

Who were excluded from the vote?

• women

• working class men

Rotten borough

• An area with a small population but one of more MP

1832 Great Reform Act

• significant piece of legislation in the United Kingdom that altered the British electoral system

Policies of the 1832 Great Reform Act

• Many rotten boroughs were abolished

• more people given franchise

• middle class got the vote

1918 Rep of the People act

• Legislation that expanded voting rights

Policies of the 1918 rep of people act

• Women could vote in elections

• Men over 21 could vote

What type of women could vote after the 1918 rep of people act?

• Married women

• Women who owned property

• Women with graduates

• Women aged over 30

Why was the 1918 rep of people act passed?

• Because of pressure to give the vote to working class men without property who had served their country in the army.

1928 rep of the people act

• Legislation that further expanded voting rights

Policies of the 1928 rep of the people act

• Extended suffrage to all women

Under which government was the 1928 rep of the people act passed?

• The Conservative Government

1969 rep of the people act

• extended suffrage to people under 21

Under which government was the 1969 rep of the people act passed?

• Labour government

Give an example of a suffragettes group

WSPU (Women’s social and Political union)

What militant actions did the WSPU take in relation to women’s suffrage

• Setting fire to buildings

• Attacking post boxes

• Attempting to hurt politicians

Which suffrage group tried to achieve the vote using peaceful methods?

Suffragists

What methods did the suffragists use?

• attempting to organise cross-party support

• convince and lobby politicians of the importance of female suffrage

• Gathered support using petitions

Can 16-17 year olds currently vote in UK-wide elections?

NO

Arguments for votes at 16

• can pay income and tax

• can join the army

• aren’t represented in parliament

• taught about politics in school

Arguments against votes at 16

• Not mature enough to make political decisions

• Few countries allow votes at 16

• Youth turnout is low in elections

When and who was the ‘vote at 16’ issue brought to parliament?

2008 and Julie Morgan