Page 14 - All About History - Issue 09-14

Democracy

Day in the life

BRITISH MP

PASSING LAWS IN THE HOUSE OF

PARLIAMENT, UK, 19TH CENTURY

The 19th century was a time of substantial change for democracy
in the UK. Thanks to the Reform Acts of 1832, 1867 and 1884, the
political landscape was constantly changing, going from one where
voting was the exclusive priviledge of the elite to something
closer to the universal suffrage we see today. By the end
of the century there was still a long way to go, of
course, but it was a start.
Driving this significant change were the
MPs, with such pivotal figures as William
Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli,
spurring change in the country
before going on to further shape
the nation’s fortunes as
prime ministers.
Palace of Westminster,
London, 19th century

House of
Commons, 1851
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