15 August 1867
Reform Act

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The Great Reform Act of 1832 gave the vote to middle-class men, but most working men are still denied it by a property qualification. There has been fierce campaigning for reform, notably from the Chartists (see 1838 The People's Charter). In 1866, Disraeli and the Conservatives voted against the Liberal government's attempt to give the vote to about 400,000 working men. But now Disraeli feels that some measure of reform is vital to avoid unrest.

As the country suffers an economic depression and huge pro-reform demonstrations take place, Disraeli redrafts the bill to maximise Conservative votes. After much wrangling and amending, the Conservatives enact an unexpectedly radical law. In towns, all male householders and lodgers whose shelter costs them at least £10 a year can vote. This almost doubles the size of the electorate, notably in the cities of Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester, and creates a working-class majority in most towns. In the countryside, property requirements remain higher, to preserve the privileges of landowners.

After receiving a petition organised by a group of women – including Barbara Bodichon and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson – demanding that women have the same political rights as men, John Stuart Mill adds an amendment to this effect to the Reform Bill. However, it is defeated by 196 votes to 73.

(See also The vote.)

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