Politics Booklet 1 Flashcards
(32 cards)
When was the Second reform act?
1868
Name two causes of the second reform act
Disraeli wanted to beat Gladstone
Public Pressure
Worry about pubic unrest after the 1866 bill failed
Conservatives wanted to gain support of new voters
Seat redistrobution
What changes did the second reform act have?
Meant 1/3 of men can vote
In boroughs householders Lodgers who paid £10 a year can vote which was 1 in 8 people
In counties Land worth £12 in tax can vote
Redistrobuted seats
Voters had to residents for a whole year
Plural voting still allowed
What were some political motives for the passing of the second reform act?
Seat redistribution -many industrial cities didnt have their own MP and the Liberals thought they would win if they created seats here, the conservatives thought the seat boundaries created in 1832 disadvantaged them
Support for new voters- Both parties wanted to get the credit for expanding the franchise and hoped new voters would support them
Gladstone and Disraelis rivalry- each wanted to take the credit for the act
How significant was the second reform act?
The second reform act was very significant as it gave loads more people vote as before the act only 1/5 of males could vote and now 1/3 of the population can vote. This also doubled the electorate however all women still were unable to vote and sailors/soldiors were unable to vote as they weren’t classed as residents.
When was the Ballot Act?
1872
What iniciated the Ballot act?
Threats and Bribes had increased since the second reform act
The atmosphere around the hustings was often violent and drunken
people wanted voting to be seen as responsible and secretive
What were the changes the Ballot Act 1872 made?
Voting in all election would now be secretive/private
Employers and landlords could no longer threaten workers/tenants
Bribery increased as voters took votes from both sides
How significant was the Ballot Act 1872?
Lead to voting being private and more safe however this lead to the most expensive general election as votes were being taken from both sides.
when was the Corrupt and Illegal Practices act?
1883
What lead to the 1883 Corrupt and Illegal Practices act?
Failures of the 1872 act to get rid of corruption
1880 election was the most expensive in history so far
What changes did the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act have?
It limited the total amount of money candidates could spend
It reduced bribery
Election spending reduced by 75% compared to the 1880 election
Parties now relied more on volunteers more than paid election workers
When was the third reform act?
1884-85
What caused the Third reform act in 1884/85?
End the illogical discrepancy between county and brough constituencies
Liberals didn’t like the conservatives dominance over the counties
Public demonsrtations
1200 demos around the country
What changes did the third reform act in 1884/85 have?
meant 2/3 of male population could vote
electorate grew to 5.5 million
redistrobution of MPs by population
Still had to be a householder to vote - soldiors and servants excluded
plural voting still existed
Needed to be at an adress for a minimum of 1 year to be allowed to vote
When was the Seat Redistribution Act?
1885
What caused the 1885 Seat Redistribution Act?
principal that constituencies should have roughly a similar number of voters
What changes did the 1885 Seat Redistribution Act make?
All areas in the country now have more equal representation in parliament
Most constituencies have only one MP
Plural voting still allowed
New middle class suburban constituencies benefitted conservitives
When did Disraeli set up the Conservative Nation Union?
1867
When was the property qualification removed?
1857
When were practicing Jews able to become and MP?
1858
When could atheists and people from all faiths able to become MPs?
1888
What were some causes for reform?
Problems with the 1867 Act
Political advantage
Public pressure changing attitudes.
How did the political parties run in 1851?
MPs were unpaid
MPs had to fund their elections themselves
Short lived governments were common
Less powerful then today
