The Evolution of Democracy in the UK

Democracy, a system of government where the entire adult population has a voice, either through direct voting or elected representatives, has a long and evolving history in the UK.

Early 19th Century: Limited Franchise

At the dawn of the 19th century, Britain’s electoral system was far from democratic. Only a select group of men, those over 21 years of age who owned a certain amount of property, held the right to vote.

The Chartist Movement

During the 1830s and 1840s, the Chartist movement emerged, advocating for greater political participation. Their demands included:

• Universal male suffrage
• Annual elections
• Equal electoral districts
• Secret ballots
• The right of any man to stand for Parliament
• Payment for Members of Parliament

While the Chartists did not achieve immediate success, their efforts laid the groundwork for future reforms.

Expanding the Franchise

Throughout the 19th century, voting rights gradually expanded. By 1918, most of the Chartists’ demands had been adopted. Women over 30 gained the right to vote in that year, and full suffrage for men and women over 21 was achieved in 1928. In 1969, the voting age was lowered to 18.