December 1884
Reform Act

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Gladstone's government brings in a series of important parliamentary reforms. In 1883, it lays down rules for elections and introduces harsh penalties for bribery and intimidation, which have flourished despite ballots being secret. The following year, a new Reform Act gives all male householders and £10 lodgers the vote, whether they live in the town or the country. The act applies throughout Scotland, Wales and Ireland as well as England. (Previously, separate acts had to be passed for each country, allowing amendments to be added.) The House of Lords rejects the measure initially, but then passes it in return for constituencies being redistributed. These now become smaller and tend to be predominantly working class or middle class. About 6 million men can now vote, but this is still only 60% of the adult male population.

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