The number of uncontested elections had diminishes dramatically. In 1865 the were 194 uncontested elections. By 1880 there were only 67. This decrease showed that more equality was present in the system. When there is only one candidate the people have no choice or say. This diminishment of uncontested elections was a vast improvement but still had further to go.
1867 was the beginning of the road to democracy. It was all about trying to establish a system. Lord derby described the movements as: “A leap in the dark.” People were starting to realise that democracy is the only way forward.
Two essential acts were the secret ballot act in 1872 and the corrupt practices act in 1883. Before the secret ballot act everyone could see who you voted for, vote the wrong person and your boss could sack you. Also many men where being bribed by the rich politicians. This was unjust and wealth dominated the vote. The secret ballot act introduced a freedom of choice. However this act alone did not destroy corruption. In 1883 the corrupt and legal practices act introduced fines and prison sentences for those who exceed the election expenses. Activities such as hiring carriages for those going to polling stations to vote for them was classed as an offence. This movement was far more democratic. There was less based on money and more based on what was said by the candidates.
The effect of these acts changed who were mps. In 1874 two miners became mps, Thomas but for Morpeth and Alexander McDonald for Stafford. This was very significant because the public now had more candidates to choose from and it was not only wealthy men who ran the country. Two working class men as mps out of hundreds, to attain democracy the country had to go further.
Parties where changing, they became more organised and communicated better with the people. Disraeli the head of the conservative party appointed J E Gorst as a part agent who in turn established a central office. The party was now assessable and accountable. He also established the national union of conservative associations. In 1874 there were 400. Democracy was increasingly important to a vast amount of people.
As the world went forward with changes so did democracy. Houses were cleaner, hospitals were more efficient and successful. People were living longer. The railways had opened up Britain and with it brought holidays for all, better food and healthier living. By 1868 there were 16 towns with newspapers. News spread quickly and by 1901 there were 71 towns with papers. The world was attempting to become fair an equal to all.
However the houses of lords increased its numbers. This is unfair because its not democratic, the people do not decide on who achieves a seat in the house of lords, members of the house of lords are honoured with their title or they inherit the title. The explanation for this increase was: a protection against the tyranny of the commons majority. But the house of commons was voted in by the people, the House of Lords thought democracy was a tyranny
There was a local government act in 1894, this was the establishment of local councils, this was the government developing a system, a structure that was an important part of democracy.
Under the assessed rate act of 1869 a local election vote was granted to tenants of property of a sufficient rateable value. Working class men moved often so they lost the vote, this was very unfair. Under the same act women with appropriate qualifications could vote. This meant women who owned property can vote, married women who owned property could not vote, this was not equal and still sexist.
The representation of the peoples act in 1884 brought many new votes. In 1867 1 in 3 could vote, now 2 in 3 people could vote, this was a massive increase. The franchise was given to skilled workers, agricultural labourers. Lodgers who paid £10 per annum, this exclude working class lodgers. Sons living at home who had one room to themselves. Voting was still based on property qualifications, this was unfair and undemocratic. Joseph chamberlain hailed it as: “government of the people by the people.”
In 1885 there was the retribution of seats act. Capital and industrial districts gained representation in proportion to population. A more democratic system was established which would continue.
The birth of the labour party was an indicator of growing democracy. By 1900 there was lots of little groups, the break through was the labour party getting two seats.
By 1911 mps were entitled to £400 per year. This meant that an mp was a professional job. This gave the opportunities to the lower class people to become mps. This movement is extremely democratic as it is taking away all wealth barriers.
Questions to the prime minister dramatically increased in the space of 50 years. In 1850 the prime minister received 200 questions, in 1900 the prime minister received 5,000 questions. More people had faith in the system to ask questions, the people now could be part of a democratic system.
In the House of Lords you now could not inherit your title, you achieved it on popularity. This was essential for a democracy.
The representation of the peoples act was passes in 1918. This meant that all males over 21 could vote who satisfied a 6 month residence. Those receiving poor relief could also receive the vote. This was a huge improvement however it still had a residence qualification. Also the age of voters was 21 plus it still had to reduce the minimum to 18 to become democratic.
Women over 30 could vote, provided they were household owners or wives of household owners or university graduates. For women this was the first major break through, however they were far from equal to men. To attain democracy there should be equality between men and women.
Voting was to take place on 1 day only, and was not to be spread over a couple of weeks. This was another factor that made Britain more democratic.
The electoral administration was reformed. Candidates had to deposit £150, which they lost if they polled under and eighth of the votes cast. Party agents no longer decided who was on the register; this task went to local government officials who annually made lists up of voters. Returning officers expenses and election costs were to be met by public funds and not by candidates. This establishment of the electoral system made things faire. It set a more organised system.
One undemocratic law not ruled out was the number of votes a certain person could have. Business owners and university graduates could have two votes. Between 1922 and 1945 the conservatives owed about nine seats to university graduates and about 7-11 seats to business owners.
Constituencies were reorganised so that each was as near 70,000 votes reasonably possible. Apart from 10 double membered borough seats, old borough county division disappeared. This was very democratic apart from the ten double member borough seats. Having an equal system all around Britain, this was the setting and establishing of a system which would be the basis of any future decisions over constituencies.
By 1918 the country was reasonably democratic. There were many factors holding Britain back at this time from being democratic. The vote was one of these, even though it had improved dramatically. The vote still needed the equality of suffrage and an age decrease to 18. Still some people could have two votes, this was deffanatly undemocratic. The last undemocratic factor was the ten double membered seats. However changes were taking place and soon the country would be able to call it democratic.
Jennifer Dickson
