'The new type of voter was critical to the development of political parties 1867-1900.' Discuss

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A.Greb

‘The new type of voter was critical to the development of political parties 1867-1900.’ Discuss

During this period of time two major political reform took place which considerably increased the size of the new electorate. One in 1867 and one in 1884. With the increase in size of the electorate it was inevitable that there would be a whole new type of voter made. This new voter consisted mainly of the middle class or the more successful working class that formed the new businessman class that had evolved during the industrial revolution. Political parties could no longer control the votes as they did before the acts. There were too many voters to all be influenced and as a consequence the political parties of Britain needed to change to suit the new type of voter. Both the conservative and liberal parties made radical changes to the party system and even allowed women’s groups. The largest development if a political party was the emergence of the labour party. Although it did not rank nearly as high as the two leading parties it did gain respect and became the roots of the current government.

        The industrial revolution had brought about a new class of people the working class, that had profited from the advanced machinery and new factories that had sprung up, became known as the business class and were considered to be approaching on the middle class. Under the 1867 reform act the business class and the middle classed were enfranchised this act started the ball rolling on reforming political parties. After this many more minor political acts were passed such as the secret ballot act and the corrupt practices act to help evolve politics to fit the new voter. In 1884 the electorate was increase again with another reform act. This allowed many more stable working class men and the remaining middle class men to gain the vote. By this time many changes had been made to both leading parties and with working class men gaining the vote the labour party, claiming to be a party for the working class, now had a basis to try and expand from.

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        The conservative party realised before granting the 1867 reform act that major changes would need to be made to their party structure and general philosophy in order to win the votes of the new electorate. Prior to 1867 the party had individual organisations scattered around the country. After the act was passed the Tories attempted to reorganise themselves into a national party with a single aim. This collection of the local councils was called the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations. John Gorst who became the main party agent led it in 1870 and set up the Conservative central ...

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