The
1867 Reform Act had granted the vote to working
class males in the towns but not in the counties. William
Gladstone and most members of the Liberal
Party argued that people living in towns and in rural areas should
have equal rights. Lord Salisbury, leader
of the Conservative Party, opposed
any increase in the number of people who could vote in parliamentary
elections. Salisbury's critics claimed that he feared that this reform
would reduce the power of the Tories in rural constituencies.
In 1884 Gladstone introduced his proposals that would give working
class males the same voting rights as those living in the boroughs.
Although the bill was passed in the House of
Commons it was rejected by the Conservative dominated House
of Lords. Gladstone refused to accept defeat and reintroduced
the measure. This time the Conservative members of the Lords agreed
to pass Gladstone's proposals in return for the promise that it would
be followed by a Redistribution Bill. Gladstone
accepted their terms and the 1884 Reform Act was allowed to become
law. This measure gave the counties the same franchise as the boroughs
- adult male householders and £10 lodgers - and added about six
million to the total number who could vote in parliamentary elections.
Farm labourers voting for the first time
Illustrated London News (1884)
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