Theme2-the social makeup of house of commons

Question 1

what were the commons like in 1780-1832

Answer 1

1780 – dominance of landowners and agriculture - around 1/5 of all MPs were the sons or brothers of peers.
Another c110 were also men of property e.g. merchants, bankers and industrialists.
Some radicals but also from privileged backgrounds.
Overwhelmingly Anglican

Question 2

what changed in 1780-1832

Answer 2

Catholic MPs can sit in Commons after 1829 Catholic Emancipation – especially Irish MPs (but still from relatively privileged backgrounds).

Question 3

what continued in 1780-1832

Answer 3

Overall – very little change. If anything dominance of propertied classes grows.
Pitt creates lots of new peerages in the 1780s and 1790s - arguably this increases aristocratic dominance

Question 4

what were commons like in 1832-1867

Answer 4

1832 Redistribution has little impact on the social composition of the Commons  - could argue this is a key turning point in long term change but in short term increase in county seats actually helps the power of the country gentlemen, and reduces the ability of wealthier industrialists/merchants to purchase seats as they had done pre-1832 70 still controlled by large landowners after 1832.  Seats still bought and sold (Aberdeen pays £2000 for one for his son in the 1840s)
The extension of the franchise doesn’t lead to an influx of middle-class MPs and still no working-class MPs at all.
Historian JR Vincent – studies 456 Liberal MPs in Parliament from 1859-1874:  198 = large landowners, 151 = businessmen.
1867 – similarly despite redistribution to the towns and a big increase in the franchise there is only very limited change.

Question 5

what changed in 1832-1867

Answer 5

1858 – Abolition of Property Qualification (Election open to all – in theory) Requires income from property of £600 year in Counties and £300 Boroughs (introduced 1711). Increasingly needless – often overlooked / MPs meet it on fraudulent grounds.
Also one of the 6 points of the Charter.
Removed after Edward Glover scandal - needless imprisonment - but the little impact, if any, on immediate elections (1859/1865 see little change in social composition)
1832 and esp. 1867 do start change – more m/c after 1867 e.g. lawyers

Question 6

what continued in 1832-1867

Answer 6

Still very little change – no significant influx of middle-class MPs after 1832 and still no working-class MPs at all. Still lots of uncontested seats - increases to 70%+ at first but then back below 50% by 1850
(plenty of very small seats remain) and corruption continues.
Still very expensive to run and still no payment for MPs.
Less than ¼ of those elected in 1874 come from commercial or industrial backgrounds.

Question 7

what was the common like in 1868-1910

Answer 7

The third Reform Acts lead to greater movement (more voters and even distribution) but the impact is slow. For the remainder of the century landed gentlemen professionals (e.g. lawyers) and businessmen continue to dominate the Commons.
1872 Secret Ballot – in theory, frees voters from landlord influence and removes corruption. Both continue in the short-term
1883 Corrupt Practices – resolves issues of corruption (treating etc) by requiring accounts and enforcing penalties.

Question 8

what changed in 1868-1910

Answer 8

Means by which the wealthy exerted dominance are largely removed (bribery/intimidation outlawed and impractical.
Increased franchise and fairer distribution do see more of an impact.
The key barrier remains affordability for working-class MPs –union sponsorship for Labour MPs– 2 in 1874, 11 by 1900.

Question 9

what continued in 1868-1910

Answer 9

Influence of landlords etc maintained to a degree due to deference - voters choosing to follow landlords’ wishes.
Working-class MP numbers are tiny and they are dependent on unions.
Still average of 136 unopposed seats at every election until 1910 (20%)

Question 10

what were the commons like in 1911-1928

Answer 10

1911 Payment of MPs -£400 (in the same bill as the Parliament Act).  Ensured all could afford to run and not be dependent on union or other financial support.
1918 – franchise extension (including women – 1928 too NB eligibility to stand for election, not in 1918 Act, rushed through at the last minute for the election)– equal constituencies + payment of returning officers by public funds (not candidates)
Growth of Labour – 63 MPs elected in 1918, 56 from working-class backgrounds.  By 1924 Labour had 191 MPs.
NB eligibility to stand for election, not in 1918 Act, rushed through at the last minute in 19018

Question 11

what changed in 1911-1928

Answer 11

Significant increase in middle-class MPs
63 Labour MPs elected in 1918, 56 from working-class backgrounds.  By 1924 Labour had 191 MPs.
Women elected (1 in 1918, 2 in 1922, 8 in 1923, 4 in 1924.  But mostly from privileged backgrounds too.

Overall by 1928 significant change has started but not complete.

Question 12

what continued in 1911-1928

Answer 12

Wealth (if not land) continues to dominate.

Few working-class MPs.