Great reform act and representation of the people act

1832 Great Reform Act

• Increased voters from 440,000 to 657,000 (only 8% of adult men)

• Removed ‘rotten boroughs’ and added seats in industrial towns

• Still limited to property-owning men

• No secret ballot – votes were public

• Importance: First major parliamentary reform, sparked future changes

1918 Representation of the People Act

• All men aged 21+ could vote

• Some women aged 30+ could vote (if they/husbands owned property)

• Voters rose:

  • Men: 7.7 million → 12.9 million

  • Women: 0 → 8.5 million

• More equal constituencies

• Importance: Created mass democracy and recognised women’s role in society