The impact of the second reform act 1867

• What was the main change in the franchise due to the Second Reform Act of 1867?


  The vote was given to householders and lodgers who had been in residence for at least 12 months.
• Who primarily benefited from the new voting rights established by the Second Reform Act?


  Skilled artisans benefited from the new voting rights.
• How many small boroughs lost one member due to the Second Reform Act?


  38 small boroughs lost one member.
• How many boroughs lost both members because of corruption?


  Four boroughs lost both members due to corruption.
• How many seats were given to boroughs and counties after the Second Reform Act?


  19 seats were given to boroughs and 26 seats to counties.
• Which political party benefited from the redrawing of constituency boundaries after 1867?

  The Conservative Party benefited from the redrawing of constituency boundaries.
• What was a clear element of continuity in the electoral system after 1867?


  The overrepresentation of rural areas relative to industrial areas was a clear element of continuity.
• What was the social composition of MPs in 1874?


  Less than a quarter of those elected in 1874 came from commercial or industrial backgrounds.
• What was the increase in the number of English votes after the Second Reform Act?


  The number of English votes grew from 1.2 million to nearly 2 million.
• What proportion of males could vote after the Second Reform Act?


  1 in 3 males could vote after the Second Reform Act.
• How much did the electorate increase in Leeds after the Second Reform Act?


  The electorate in Leeds increased fourfold.
• Who was excluded from voting in the boroughs after the Second Reform Act?


  Those without a one-year residence qualification were excluded from voting in the boroughs.
• What was the status of agricultural laborers in the counties after the Second Reform Act?


  Agricultural laborers did not have the vote in the counties.
• What was a limitation of the redistribution of seats in the 1867 Act?


  The redistribution still left London, the Midlands, and the North underrepresented in parliament.
• What was the basis of the franchise in counties after the Second Reform Act?


  The franchise in counties was still based on property ownership.
• How did the one-year residence requirement affect working-class men?


  The one-year residence requirement discriminated against many working-class men who moved frequently.
• What was allowed due to plural voting after the Second Reform Act?


  Plural voting allowed individuals to vote in multiple constituencies where they owned property.
• What changes occurred in party political organizations after the Second Reform Act?


  • Increase in the electorate led to transformation in party organizations.
  • Many party associations or clubs were formed to engage new voters.
  • Conservatives were initially more active, establishing a central office in London.
  • The National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations had 791 local associations by 1877.
• What prompted increased Conservative activity in constituencies after 1868?


  Defeat in the 1868 election provided impetus for increased Conservative activity.
• What was founded in 1877 to improve Liberal party organization?


  The National Liberal Federation was founded in 1877.
• How did local party organizations operate after the Second Reform Act?


  • Local agents were employed to recruit and retain new members.
  • Social activities were organized to attract new members.
  • Joseph Chamberlain developed an efficient caucus system in Birmingham.
  • The caucus ensured accurate lists of members and their voting on election day.
• What factors contributed to the increase in newspapers since the 1830s?


  Increasing literacy, the development of the steam press, telegraph lines, and railways contributed to the increase in newspapers.
• How did the press influence public opinion and politics after 1867?


  The press reflected public opinion and was used by politicians to convey their messages.
• What was expected of MPs regarding party loyalty after 1867?


  Loyalty to agreed party policies and leadership was expected of MPs to receive party support.
• How did elections change after the Second Reform Act?


  • Elections became more about informing electors of party politics.
  • Focus shifted from individual candidates to party policies.
  • Early images of politicians portrayed them as authoritative and wise.
  • The two-party system was reinforced by party loyalty expectations.