Parliamentary Reform

when was the Second Reform Act passed?

1867

describe the 2nd reform act

• number of voters increased to 2.5 million

• biggest group to gain were skilled artisans

• rural areas still over represented

• industrial Midland, North and Scotland still under-represented

what did the second reform act lead indirectly to?

Education Act 1870

when was the Secret Ballot Act passed?

1872

what did the Secret Ballot Act do?

reduced intimidation but not corruption

why was the vote removed from Lancaster?

1867 inquiry had removed vote after it was discovered that £14000 was used to bribe 1400 electors

what was passed in 1883?

Corrupt Practices Act

what did the Corrupt Practices Act do?

• tried to close loopholes that had allowed bribery to continue

• limits set for candidates’ spending in elections and clarified what money could be spent on

when was the Third Reform Act passed?

1884

what did the Third Reform Act do?

• doubled electorate to 6 million

• 2 out of 3 men could now vote, including working class

• reduced influence of the landed classes in government

what was passed in 1885?

Redistribution Act

what did the Redistribution Act do?

• brought an end to under-representation in North and Midlands, and over-representation in rural areas

• constituencies now only returned 1 MP and made largely equal in size