1918 and 1928 Representation of the People Acts

Question 1

What was the pressure to pass the bill?

Answer 1

• Fear of suffragette militarism returning after the war
• Contribution of working class men and women in the war
• Strong support of PM Lloyd George

Question 2

What did the 1918 RPA do?

Answer 2

• Gave the vote to all adult males over 21
• Women over the age of 30 could vote

Question 3

What was the impact?

Answer 3

• About 95% of adult males could vote
• 8 million women added to the electorate - largest single addition to the franchise
• 75% of voters in 1918 had never voted before

Question 4

What did the 1928 RPA do?

Answer 4

• Removed the difference between male and female voters

Question 5

What was the impact of the 1928 RPA?

Answer 5

• Women in electorate rose from 8 million to 14.5 million
• Women now made up the majority of the franchise