The development of British democracy
Democracy is a system of government where the whole adult population gets a say. This might be by direct voting or by choosing representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
At the turn of the 19th century, Britain was not a democracy as we know it today. Although there were elections to select members of Parliament (MPs), only a small group of people could vote. They were men who were over 21 years of age and who owned a certain amount of property.
The franchise (that is, the number of people who had the right to vote) grew over the course of the 19th century and political parties began to involve ordinary men and women as members.
In the 1830s and 1840s, a group called the Chartists campaigned for reform. They wanted six changes:
- for every man to have the vote
- elections every year
- for all regions to be equal in the electoral system
- secret ballots
- for any man to be able to stand as an MP
- for MPs to be paid.
At the time, the campaign was generally seen as a failure. However, by 1918 most of these reforms had been adopted. The voting franchise was also extended to women over 30, and then in 1928 to men and women over 21. In 1969, the voting age was reduced to 18 for men and women.
Democracy means government in which the whole adult population gets a say, either by direct voting or by choosing representatives to decide. At the turn of the 19th century, Britain was not a democracy. There were elections for MPs, but only a small group could vote: men over 21 who owned property. The franchise, meaning the number of people with the right to vote, grew during the 19th century, and political parties began to involve ordinary men and women as members. In the 1830s and 1840s the Chartists campaigned for six changes: the vote for every man, annual elections, equal regions in the electoral system, secret ballots, any man being able to stand as an MP, and payment for MPs. At the time the campaign was generally seen as a failure, but by 1918 most of these reforms had been adopted. The franchise was extended to women over 30, then in 1928 to men and women over 21. In 1969 the voting age became 18 for men and women. A common confusion is to think the Chartists succeeded immediately; the section says they were seen as failing at the time, though most reforms were adopted by 1918.
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Practice questions
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At the start of the 19th century, which people could vote in UK parliamentary elections?
Voting was limited to men over 21 who owned a certain amount of property.Which reform did the Chartists campaign for in the 1830s and 1840s?
Annual elections were one of the six changes the Chartists demanded.Which group gained the right to vote in 1918?
The voting franchise was extended to women over 30 in 1918.In which year was the UK voting age lowered to 18 for both men and women?
The voting age was reduced to 18 for men and women in 1969.