British parlimentary Reform 1832-1928 :: essays research papers

The unreformed British parliamentary system was undemocratic, it excluded the majority of the commonwealth from voting including all women most working(a) class men, many middle class men and all the poor. Its diffusion of seats was inadequately representative and excluded important towns. It included foul boroughs, the insouciant sale of seats, putridness, bribery, intimidation, violence and plural voting. The system was dominated by the nobleness and gentry, and many seats were uncontested. Lang, (1999). The purpose of this essay is to identify the factors that led to the 19th century parliamentary reform and go on to assess the move that the reform made.Around the middle of the nineteenth century an extensive reckon took place in Britain on the nature and desirability of democracy. Who should be allowed to responsibility to right to vote in general elections? Should the franchise be limited, as in the past, to those who had circumscribed qualifications, such as the ow nership of property, which the rental value had to be at least at least 40 shillings per annum, and those who had an economic stake in the country? Property owners argued that the old system had worked in the past so surely it would continue to do so and that the wealthy were naturally tiptop to the poor. Pearce, Stern, (1994).Others believed that the franchise was restricted and haphazard and that the qualifications for voting were outdated and illogical in their view every man had the right to vote, all men had been created every bit and therefore all were entitled to a say in the manner they were governed.A small but growing number also believed that women should feel the vote on precisely the same terms as men.The population of England and Wales doubled between 1801-1851 many parishes began to burst at the seams. Towns like Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and Leeds were perceive large population increases due to industrial growth. Earl Grey proposed such towns needed repr esentation in the House of Commons, this would lead to large increase in the voting population if the proposal was successful. On the other hand rotten boroughs were parliamentary constituencies that had over the years declined in size, but still had the right to elect members of the House of Commons. Most of the constituencies were under the control and influence of and one man, the patron. As there were only a few individuals with the vote and no fair voting method (secret ballot) which encouraged bribery and corruption as it was easy for potential candidates to buy their way to victory.