Reform and redistribution, 1884-85

• 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 franchise established by the Second Reform Act?


  Skilled artisans benefited from the new franchise.
• 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?


  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 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 now vote.
• 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.
• What was a significant limitation of the franchise in counties after the Second Reform Act?


  The franchise in counties was still based on property ownership.
• What was the impact of the one-year residence requirement on working-class men?


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


  Owning several properties allowed individuals to vote in each constituency.
• What were the changes 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 in organizing.
  • The National Liberal Federation was founded in 1877.
• Who led the establishment of a conservative central office in London?

  John Gorst led the establishment of a conservative central office.
• What was the purpose of the conservative central office established under John Gorst?


  It provided guidance to local party associations.
• How many local associations were affiliated with the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations by 1877?


  By 1877, there were 791 local associations affiliated.
• What motivated the conservatives to increase their activity in constituencies after 1868?


  Defeat in the 1868 election motivated increased conservative activity.
• What was the impact of the electoral defeat in 1875 on the liberals?


  It spurred the liberals to improve their party organization.
• Who was a leading liberal in Birmingham known for organizing local party activities?

  Joseph Chamberlain was a leading liberal in Birmingham.
• What was the efficient form of organization devised by Joseph Chamberlain called?


  The efficient form of organization was called the caucus.
• What factors contributed to the increase in newspapers after the 1830s?

  • Increasing literacy rates
  • Development of the steam press
  • Establishment of telegraph lines
  • Expansion of railways
• How did the press influence public opinion and politics after 1867?


  The press reflected public opinion and conveyed politicians' messages.
• How did elections change after 1867 in terms of informing voters?


  Elections became more about informing voters of party politics.
• What was expected of MPs in relation to party policies after 1867?


  Loyalty to agreed party policies was expected of MPs.
• What was the overall impact of the Second Reform Act on the political landscape?


  • Increased enfranchisement of males.
  • Continued underrepresentation of urban areas.
  • Strengthened party political organizations.
  • Reinforced the two-party system.