Parliament History The Modern Parliament in United Kingdom

Parliament History The Modern Parliament

Introduction to Parliament History The Modern Parliament

In the 19th century the House of Commons became democratic. The Great Reform Bill of 1832 gave the vote to the middle class for the first time. Acts in 1867 and 1884 enfranchised workingmen, and another in 1885 created equal electoral districts. The Parliament Act of 1911 weakened the House of Lords. Women aged 30 got the vote in 1918, those aged 21 in 1928. In 1969 the voting age for everyone was reduced to 18.

The union of England and Scotland in 1707 brought 16 Scottish peers and 45 representatives into Parliament. That with Ireland in 1800 brought in 32 more peers, 4 of whom were bishops from the church in Ireland, and 100 more representatives, although most withdrew when the Irish Free State was created in 1922. Britain’s legislature, sometimes called the Mother of Parliaments, has been the model for legislative assemblies in many other countries.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Parliament History The Modern Parliament