The Advent Of Democracy: The Impact Of The 1918 Reform Act On British Politics

The Representation of the People Act of 1918 was a landmark in modern British history and the most substantial change ever made in the electoral system. It nearly trebled the electorate, extending the franchise to all adult men and giving the vote to women for the first time by enfranchising 8.5 million women aged over 30 years, and it also made other significant changes to the conduct of elections. However, its provisions and effects have rarely been closely examined by historians. In its centenary year, this volume addresses that gap by focusing upon the impact of the 1918 Reform Act in key areas. The essays examine its effects upon the Conservative, Liberal, and Labour Parties; in the three diverse regions of the West Midlands, Scotland, and Ireland, and in relation to the house of commons, the national press, and the evolution of the women’s franchise from 1918 to full equality with men in 1928.