Extended voting rights and reformed parliamentary representation Great Reform Act of 1832.
| Political |
Updated By: History Editorial Network (HEN)
Published:
3 min read
The Great Reform Act of 1832 marked a pivotal shift in the electoral system of the United Kingdom. Prior to the reform, parliamentary representation was outdated and undemocratic, with many constituencies having minimal populations while major industrial cities lacked adequate representation. The Act aimed to address these disparities by redistributing seats in the House of Commons more equitably and extending the voting franchise to a larger portion of the male population.
Under the Act, eligibility to vote was extended to include more middle-class men, particularly those who met certain property qualifications. This expansion of the voting franchise was a significant step towards a more inclusive democratic system in the UK. The Act also abolished 'rotten boroughs,' which were constituencies with very few voters, and allocated representation to growing urban areas like Manchester and Birmingham.
The impact of the Great Reform Act of 1832 was profound, setting the stage for future electoral reforms and shaping the political landscape of the UK for years to come. It paved the way for further extensions of the voting franchise and continued efforts to make the parliamentary system more representative of the population as a whole.
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Primary Reference: The Reform Act 1832 - UK Parliament

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