Representation of the People Act 1928

The Representation of the People Act 1928 was a pivotal piece of legislation in the United Kingdom that extended equal voting rights to both men and women. Prior to this act, women had limited suffrage, primarily restricted to those over the age of 30 who met certain property qualifications. The 1928 Act removed these restrictions, allowing all women over the age of 21 to vote on equal terms with men. This change significantly altered the demographic composition of the electorate, as it enfranchised a large number of working-class women, thereby increasing their political influence. The Labour Party, which had a platform more aligned with the interests of the working class and women's issues, benefited from this shift in the electorate. The act not only represented a step towards gender equality in voting but also indicated a broader movement towards social reform in the UK, as it acknowledged the importance of women's voices in the political arena.