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Reform and Redistribution Acts (1884/85) - Coggle Diagram
Reform and Redistribution Acts (1884/85)
Causes
William Gladstone
Radical Liberals felt there was unfinished business from 1867 since Disraeli imposed qualifications for householders and lodgers but only in boroughs (not counties).
Liberals noticed they enjoyed support from miners and industrial workers (urban areas) and agricultural workers/union leaders (rural areas).
This was an opportunity for him to diffuse radical discontent by offering major reform at end of tenure.
Made sure new franchises would apply to Irish in order to ensure act was passed.
Avoided redistribution of seats since Irish disliked redistribution (would have reduced their representation) and Conservatives were sure to be hurt by extended franchise with current political boundaries.
Salisbury and 'The Deal'
Utilised Tory majority in House of Lords to pressure Gladstone into cutting a deal.
Agreed to pass franchise bill if Gladstone introduced redistribution.
In this way, radical campaign against Lords wouldn't get out of hand and Salisbury would have respectable deal to show his party.
Both parties believed minorities would be better represented by single member seats.
Redistribution and Elections
79 Boroughs with population below 15,000 lost their separate representation entirely.
36 constituencies with population between 15,000-50,000 lost 1 of 2 MPs.
New constituencies were created for units of population 50,000+
All but 23 boroughs began using single member system (boundaries drawn along distinct socio-economic interests).
138 seats redistributed
No more 3 member constituencies.
Start of equal sized constituencies. Ratio between smallest to biggest decreased from 252:1 -> 8:1.
Franchise
Enfranchised increased from 3-6 million.
2/3 of men now had vote.
Household suffrage - lived there for over 12 months.
Uniform voting qualifications across counties and boroughs.
Influence of Crown and Aristocracy
Crown
Decrease in patronage due to redistribution of county seats.
Arisotcracy
No. of landowners in Commons decreased - new Liberals were from backgrounds such as lawyers and journalists.
Redistribution meant 321 MPs were not returned to the Commons.
Number of working class/trade unionist MPs sped up with growth of TU and radicalisation of Liberal Party - from 2 (1885) to 12 (1895).
MPs still not paid.
Impact on political parties
Two acts sped up process of greater party organisation e.g. Primrose League.