Representation of the People Act 1918

The Representation of the People Act 1918 was an Act of Parliament passed to reform the electoral system in the United Kingdom.

Related Topics:
Representation of the People Act - 1918 - Act of Parliament - Electoral system - United Kingdom

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It widened suffrage by abolishing practically all property qualifications for men and by enfranchising women over 30 who met minimum property qualifications. The enfranchisement of this latter group was accepted as recognition of the contribution made by women defence workers. However, women were still not politically equal to men (who could vote by age 21); full electoral equality wouldn't occur until the Representation of the People Act 1928.

Related Topics:
Suffrage - Representation of the People Act 1928

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In addition to the suffrage changes, the Act also instituted the present system of holding general elections on one day, (as opposed to being staggered over a period of weeks), and brought in the annual electoral register.

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The first election held under the new system was the 1918 general election.

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