Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885-1918
Encyclopedia
The Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918 was the result of centuries of development in different kinds of constituencies. The three Reform Acts of the nineteenth century brought about some order by amending franchises in a uniform manner (see Reform Act 1832
, Reform Act 1867
and Representation of the People Act 1884
).
After 1885 the occupation franchise (under which most of the electors qualified in this period) was similar in all types of constituency, throughout the United Kingdom, but there were some surviving ownership and reserved Borough franchises which applied differently in particular seats.
The major distinction was between county constituencies and borough constituencies. All county constituencies had the same mix of franchises. Some of the older boroughs were still affected by the different franchises that had applied to them before 1832 (see the Unreformed House of Commons
for details of the position before the Reform Act 1832). The Reform Acts had preserved some of the unreformed borough franchises, as well as introducing new rules for all boroughs.
The contents of the section on the Parliamentary franchise below, are taken from The Constitutional Year Book 1900, a publication issued by Conservative Central Office in 1900 and thus out of copyright. They were intended to guide Conservative
agents and other activists, so can be assumed to be an accurate summary of the law for the period 1885-1918, between the implementation of the Representation of the People Act 1884
and the coming into force of the Representation of the People Act 1918
.
The exact period when this pattern of franchises applied was between the dissolution of the 22nd Parliament of the United Kingdom
(18 November 1885) and that of the 30th Parliament (25 November 1918).
(a) FREEHOLDERS:-
(1) Persons possessed in fee simple
or fee tail
of a freehold estate
in land or tenements of the annual value of 40s.
(2) Persons possessed of a freehold estate for life or lives in land or tenements of the annual value of 40s. who actually or bona fide occupy the premises or were seised
of such estate on the 7th June, 1832, or have acquired such estate after that day by marriage, marriage settlement, devise
, or promotion to a benefice
or office.
Persons possessed of a freehold estate for life or lives in lands or tenements of the clear yearly value of £5.
Note.-Residence on the property is not required from freeholders. A freehold situate in a Parliamentary borough
qualifies the owner for the county vote, unless it is in his own occupation. See also N.B. below.
(b) COPYHOLDERS:-
Persons possessed of an estate for life or lives in land or tenements of copyhold
or any other tenure of the clear yearly value of £5.
Note.-Residence on the property is not required from copyholders. A copyhold situate in a Parliamentary borough does not qualify the owner for the county vote if it would qualify him or any other person (i.e., his tenant) for the borough vote. See also N.B. below.
(c) LEASEHOLDERS:-
Lessees, their assignees, and sub-lessees (if in actual occupation) of a term originally created for not less than 60 years, of the value of £5 per annum. Not less than 20 years of the value of £50 per annum.
Note.-Residence on the property is not required from leaseholders. A leasehold situate in a Parliamentary borough does not qualify the owner for the county vote if it would qualify him or any other person (i.e., his tenant) for the borough vote. See also N.B. below.
N.B.-Joint Ownership. - One only of several joint owners can claim a vote, unless they have acquired the property by inheritance, marriage, or will, or are bona fide carrying on business thereon as partners, in which case all can claim votes if the value is sufficient.
Possession. - The claimant must have been in actual possession or in receipt of the rents and profits for his own use for 6 months (in the case of (c) leaseholders, 12 months) preceding the 15th July, unless the property has been acquired by descent, marriage or will.
Rentcharge. - A rentcharge
does not now qualify to vote, except the whole of the tithe rentcharge of a living; but a person registered before 1885 retains his vote.
Claims - Freeholders, Copyholders and Leaseholders in order to obtain a vote must, if not already registered, send in a notice of claim to the Overseers of the Parish in which the property is situated on or before July 20.
2. THE OCCUPATION FRANCHISE.
(a) £10 OCCUPIERS:-
The occupier as owner or tenant for 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of any land or tenement within the county of a clear yearly value of not less than £10.
Note - The word "tenement" includes a warehouse, counting-house, shop, or any part of a house separately occupied for the purpose of any business, trade or profession. Such part may be described in claims as "offices," "chambers," "studios," or by any other applicable term. Sole occupation of one part will qualify, although another part may be occupied jointly. "Residence" on the qualification is not required from £10 occupiers.
Joint Occupation. - Only two joint occupiers under the £10 qualification can be registered, unless they derive the property by inheritance, marriage, or will, or are bona-fide engaged in carrying on business as partners. See also N.B. below.
(b) HOUSEHOLDERS:-
The inhabitant occupier as owner or tenant for 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of any dwelling-house within the county.
Note - A "dwelling-house" includes, for the purposes of the franchise, any "part of a house which is separately occupied as a dwelling," and where the landlord lets out the whole of the house in apartments, retaining no control. A single room may thus be considered a dwelling-house. Sole occupation of one "part of a house" qualifies, notwithstanding joint occupation of another part. Residence is required. Joint occupation under this head confers no qualification. A man does not lose his vote by letting his house furnished during a part of the qualifying period not exceeding 4 months in the whole.
The Service Franchise.* - Any man who himself inhabits a dwelling-house (as above defined) by virtue of any office, service, or employment, is entitled to a vote in respect of the same, provided that the person under whom he serves does not inhabit the house. The overseers are bound to place the names of all such upon the rate-book as inhabitant householders, notwithstanding that the rent or rates may be paid by their employer. See also N.B. below.
N.B.- Occupation of premises in a Parliamentary borough cannot qualify to vote for the county.
Successive Occupation. - If two or more premises in the same division of a county, or in the same county if it is undivided, are occupied in immediate succession, the vote is not thereby lost. If the occupier is omitted from the list, a claim should be sent to the overseer by the 20th August, giving particulars of all the premises so occupied.
Poor Rates. - The occupier must have been rated in respect of the premises to all poor rates made during the qualifying period. All poor rates due on the 5th January must have been paid on or before July 20. If the owner is liable for the rates, and has not paid them, the tenant may pay them, and deduct the amount from the rent. Wherever the landlord pays the rates, the overseers are bound to insert the occupier's name in the rate-book.
Claims. - The names of qualified householders and occupiers must be placed by the overseers on the list published by them on the 1st August. No claim is necessary in their casem but if any names are omitted by the overseers, a notice of claim must be sent on or before August 20.
3. - LODGERS.
The inhabitant occupier, for the 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of lodgings in the same house within the county (or division) of the clear yearly value, if let unfurnished, of £10 or upwards.
Note. - The term "lodgings" comprises any apartment or place of residence, whether furnished or unfurnished, in a dwelling-house, where the landlord resides and retains control over the passages and outer doors.
Residence is required.
Joint Occupation. - The inhabitant occupier, jointly with others, of lodgings of such clear yearly value, if let unfurnished, as gives a sum of not less than £10 for each occupier is entitled to claim a vote; but no more than two such joint occupiers may be registered in respect of one set of lodgings.
Occupation of lodgings in a Parliamentary borough cannot qualify to vote for a county.
The occupation in immediate succession of different lodgings of sufficient value in the same house will qualify. But removal from one house to another disqualifies for the year.
Additional rooms may be taken during the year without vitiating the qualification.
Claims. - Lodgers not already registered must send to the overseers claims to vote on or before August 20. Those already registered must renew their claims yearly, on or before July 25.
Persons possessing rights permanently or temporarily reserved by the Reform Act of 1832, such as
(1) Freeholders and burgage
tenants in cities and towns which are counties of themselves; e.g., Bristol
, Exeter
, Norwich
, and Nottingham
.
(2) Freemen
and burgesses by servitude (except in London
).
Freemen and liverymen
in the City of London
.
Inhabitants, inhabitant householders, inhabitants paying scot and lot
, potwallers. (These rights are now merged in the occupation franchise.)
2. THE OCCUPATION FRANCHISE.
(a) £10 OCCUPIERS:-
The occupier as owner or tenant for 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of any land or tenement within the borough of a clear yearly value of not less than £10.
Note - The word "tenement" includes a warehouse, counting-house, shop, or any part of a house separately occupied for the purpose of any business, trade or profession. Such part may be described in claims as "offices," "chambers," "studios," or by any other applicable term. Sole occupation of one part will qualify, although another part may be occupied jointly.
The voter must have resided in the borough or within 7 miles (City of London 25 miles) of its boundary for the 6 months preceding the 15th July.
Joint Occupation qualifies all the joint occupiers wherever the clear yearly value is enough to give a sum of £10 for each occupier.
Assessed Taxes. - The occupier must also have paid on or before the 20th July all assessed taxes due in respect of the premises up to the 5th January. See also N.B., post.
(b) HOUSEHOLDERS:-
The inhabitant occupier as owner or tenant for 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of any dwelling-house within the borough.
Note - A "dwelling-house" includes, for the purposes of the franchise, any "part of a house which is separately occupied as a dwelling," and where the landlord lets out the whole of the house in apartments, retaining no control. A single room may thus be considered a dwelling-house. Sole occupation of one "part of a house" qualifies, notwithstanding joint occupation of another part. Residence is required. Joint occupation under this head confers no qualification. A man does not lose his vote by letting his house furnished during a part of the qualifying period not exceeding 4 months in the whole.
The Service Franchise.* - Any man who himself inhabits a dwelling-house (as above defined) by virtue of any office, service, or employment, is entitled to a vote in respect of the same, provided that the person under whom he serves does not inhabit the house. The overseers are bound to place the names of all such upon the rate-book as inhabitant householders, notwithstanding that the rent or rates may be paid by their employer. See also N.B. below.
N.B.- Successive Occupation. - If two or more premises in the same borough (whether in the same division or not is immaterial) are occupied in immediate succession, the vote is not thereby lost. If the occupier is omitted from the list, a claim should be sent to the overseer by the 20th August, giving particulars of all the premises so occupied.
Poor Rates. - The occupier must have been rated in respect of the premises to all poor rates made during the qualifying period. All poor rates due on the 5th January must have been paid on or before July 20. If the owner is liable for the rates, and has not paid them, the tenant may pay them, and deduct the amount from the rent. Wherever the landlord pays the rates, the overseers are bound to insert the occupier's name in the rate-book.
Claims. - The names of qualified householders and occupiers must be placed by the overseers on the list published by them on the 1st August. No claim is necessary in their casem but if any names are omitted by the overseers, a notice of claim must be sent on or before August 20.
3. - LODGERS.
The inhabitant occupier, for the 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of lodgings in the same house within the borough, of the clear yearly value, if let unfurnished, of £10 or upwards.
Note. - The term "lodgings" comprises any apartment or place of residence, whether furnished or unfurnished, in a dwelling-house, where the landlord resides and retains control over the passages and outer doors.
Residence is required.
Joint Occupation. - The inhabitant occupier, jointly with others, of lodgings of such clear yearly value, if let unfurnished, as gives a sum of not less than £10 for each occupier is entitled to claim a vote; but no more than two such joint occupiers may be registered in respect of one set of lodgings.
The occupation in immediate succession of different lodgings of sufficient value in the same house will qualify. But removal from one house to another disqualifies for the year.
Additional rooms may be taken during the year without vitiating the qualification.
Claims. - Lodgers not already registered must send to the overseers claims to vote on or before August 20. Those already registered must renew their claims yearly, on or before July 25.
(the last election before the Third Reform Act) and the 1918 general election
(the first after that Act was replaced).
The increase in Ireland between 1880 and 1885 was particularly significant, as the Irish county franchise was brought into line with that in Great Britain.
The 1885 general election
and the 1886 general election
were fought on the same register.
The January 1910 and December 1910 general elections were fought on the same register, except in Scotland. The voters in the second election differed from the 1910 figures in the table with Scotland 779,012 and Universities 46,566 contributing to a total of 7,709,981 registered voters.
The table below provides figures (taken from Parliamentary Papers in 1886 and 1902) for those qualified by various franchises, in England and Wales, after the 1884 reforms and again in 1902.
By comparison when universal manhood suffrage was introduced for the 1918 general election
, there were 12,913,166 registered male electors in the United Kingdom (including University electors), as opposed to the registration at the December 1910 general election of 7,709,981 (again including University electors).
The available figures suggest that the 1885-1918 electorate comprised about sixty percent of the adult male population.
Reform Act 1832
The Representation of the People Act 1832 was an Act of Parliament that introduced wide-ranging changes to the electoral system of England and Wales...
, Reform Act 1867
Reform Act 1867
The Representation of the People Act 1867, 30 & 31 Vict. c. 102 was a piece of British legislation that enfranchised the urban male working class in England and Wales....
and Representation of the People Act 1884
Representation of the People Act 1884
In the United Kingdom, the Representation of the People Act 1884 and the Redistribution Act of the following year were laws which further extended the suffrage in Britain after the Disraeli Government's Reform Act 1867...
).
After 1885 the occupation franchise (under which most of the electors qualified in this period) was similar in all types of constituency, throughout the United Kingdom, but there were some surviving ownership and reserved Borough franchises which applied differently in particular seats.
The major distinction was between county constituencies and borough constituencies. All county constituencies had the same mix of franchises. Some of the older boroughs were still affected by the different franchises that had applied to them before 1832 (see the Unreformed House of Commons
Unreformed House of Commons
The unreformed House of Commons is the name generally given to the British House of Commons as it existed before the Reform Act 1832.Until the Act of Union of 1707 joining the Kingdoms of Scotland and England , Scotland had its own Parliament, and the term refers to the House of Commons of England...
for details of the position before the Reform Act 1832). The Reform Acts had preserved some of the unreformed borough franchises, as well as introducing new rules for all boroughs.
The contents of the section on the Parliamentary franchise below, are taken from The Constitutional Year Book 1900, a publication issued by Conservative Central Office in 1900 and thus out of copyright. They were intended to guide Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
agents and other activists, so can be assumed to be an accurate summary of the law for the period 1885-1918, between the implementation of the Representation of the People Act 1884
Representation of the People Act 1884
In the United Kingdom, the Representation of the People Act 1884 and the Redistribution Act of the following year were laws which further extended the suffrage in Britain after the Disraeli Government's Reform Act 1867...
and the coming into force of the Representation of the People Act 1918
Representation of the People Act 1918
The Representation of the People Act 1918 was an Act of Parliament passed to reform the electoral system in the United Kingdom. It is sometimes known as the Fourth Reform Act...
.
The exact period when this pattern of franchises applied was between the dissolution of the 22nd Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
(18 November 1885) and that of the 30th Parliament (25 November 1918).
The Parliamentary Franchise
The following are the classes of persons who, being males of full age, are entitled to be registered, and when registered to vote at Parliamentary Elections, provided they are not under any legal incapacity, such as alienage or conviction for corrupt practices, and have not within 12 months preceding 15 July received parochial relief (other than medical relief) or other disqualifying alms:-Counties
1. THE OWNERSHIP FRANCHISE.(a) FREEHOLDERS:-
(1) Persons possessed in fee simple
Fee simple
In English law, a fee simple is an estate in land, a form of freehold ownership. It is the most common way that real estate is owned in common law countries, and is ordinarily the most complete ownership interest that can be had in real property short of allodial title, which is often reserved...
or fee tail
Fee tail
At common law, fee tail or entail is an estate of inheritance in real property which cannot be sold, devised by will, or otherwise alienated by the owner, but which passes by operation of law to the owner's heirs upon his death...
of a freehold estate
Estate (law)
An estate is the net worth of a person at any point in time. It is the sum of a person's assets - legal rights, interests and entitlements to property of any kind - less all liabilities at that time. The issue is of special legal significance on a question of bankruptcy and death of the person...
in land or tenements of the annual value of 40s.
Forty Shilling Freeholders
Forty shilling freeholders were a group of landowners who had the Parliamentary franchise to vote in county constituencies in various parts of the British Isles. In England it was the only such qualification from 1430 until 1832...
(2) Persons possessed of a freehold estate for life or lives in land or tenements of the annual value of 40s. who actually or bona fide occupy the premises or were seised
Seisin
Seisin is the term denoting the legal possession of a feudal fiefdom . It was used in the form of "the son and heir of X has obtained seisin of his inheritance", and thus is effectively a term concerned with conveyancing in the feudal era...
of such estate on the 7th June, 1832, or have acquired such estate after that day by marriage, marriage settlement, devise
Devise
Devise may refer to:* To invent something* A disposition of real property in a will* Devise A Free and Open Software project providing application user authentication through Warden* Devise, Somme...
, or promotion to a benefice
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
or office.
Persons possessed of a freehold estate for life or lives in lands or tenements of the clear yearly value of £5.
Note.-Residence on the property is not required from freeholders. A freehold situate in a Parliamentary borough
Parliamentary borough
Parliamentary boroughs are a type of administrative division, usually covering urban areas, that are entitled to representation in a Parliament...
qualifies the owner for the county vote, unless it is in his own occupation. See also N.B. below.
(b) COPYHOLDERS:-
Persons possessed of an estate for life or lives in land or tenements of copyhold
Copyhold
At its origin in medieval England, copyhold tenure was tenure of land according to the custom of the manor, the "title deeds" being a copy of the record of the manorial court....
or any other tenure of the clear yearly value of £5.
Note.-Residence on the property is not required from copyholders. A copyhold situate in a Parliamentary borough does not qualify the owner for the county vote if it would qualify him or any other person (i.e., his tenant) for the borough vote. See also N.B. below.
(c) LEASEHOLDERS:-
Lessees, their assignees, and sub-lessees (if in actual occupation) of a term originally created for not less than 60 years, of the value of £5 per annum. Not less than 20 years of the value of £50 per annum.
Note.-Residence on the property is not required from leaseholders. A leasehold situate in a Parliamentary borough does not qualify the owner for the county vote if it would qualify him or any other person (i.e., his tenant) for the borough vote. See also N.B. below.
N.B.-Joint Ownership. - One only of several joint owners can claim a vote, unless they have acquired the property by inheritance, marriage, or will, or are bona fide carrying on business thereon as partners, in which case all can claim votes if the value is sufficient.
Possession. - The claimant must have been in actual possession or in receipt of the rents and profits for his own use for 6 months (in the case of (c) leaseholders, 12 months) preceding the 15th July, unless the property has been acquired by descent, marriage or will.
Rentcharge. - A rentcharge
Rent charge
A rentcharge is an annual sum paid by the owner of freehold land to a person who has no other legal interest in the land. Rentcharges have been in existence since the Statute of Quia Emptores in 1290...
does not now qualify to vote, except the whole of the tithe rentcharge of a living; but a person registered before 1885 retains his vote.
Claims - Freeholders, Copyholders and Leaseholders in order to obtain a vote must, if not already registered, send in a notice of claim to the Overseers of the Parish in which the property is situated on or before July 20.
2. THE OCCUPATION FRANCHISE.
(a) £10 OCCUPIERS:-
The occupier as owner or tenant for 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of any land or tenement within the county of a clear yearly value of not less than £10.
Note - The word "tenement" includes a warehouse, counting-house, shop, or any part of a house separately occupied for the purpose of any business, trade or profession. Such part may be described in claims as "offices," "chambers," "studios," or by any other applicable term. Sole occupation of one part will qualify, although another part may be occupied jointly. "Residence" on the qualification is not required from £10 occupiers.
Joint Occupation. - Only two joint occupiers under the £10 qualification can be registered, unless they derive the property by inheritance, marriage, or will, or are bona-fide engaged in carrying on business as partners. See also N.B. below.
(b) HOUSEHOLDERS:-
The inhabitant occupier as owner or tenant for 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of any dwelling-house within the county.
Note - A "dwelling-house" includes, for the purposes of the franchise, any "part of a house which is separately occupied as a dwelling," and where the landlord lets out the whole of the house in apartments, retaining no control. A single room may thus be considered a dwelling-house. Sole occupation of one "part of a house" qualifies, notwithstanding joint occupation of another part. Residence is required. Joint occupation under this head confers no qualification. A man does not lose his vote by letting his house furnished during a part of the qualifying period not exceeding 4 months in the whole.
The Service Franchise.* - Any man who himself inhabits a dwelling-house (as above defined) by virtue of any office, service, or employment, is entitled to a vote in respect of the same, provided that the person under whom he serves does not inhabit the house. The overseers are bound to place the names of all such upon the rate-book as inhabitant householders, notwithstanding that the rent or rates may be paid by their employer. See also N.B. below.
N.B.- Occupation of premises in a Parliamentary borough cannot qualify to vote for the county.
Successive Occupation. - If two or more premises in the same division of a county, or in the same county if it is undivided, are occupied in immediate succession, the vote is not thereby lost. If the occupier is omitted from the list, a claim should be sent to the overseer by the 20th August, giving particulars of all the premises so occupied.
Poor Rates. - The occupier must have been rated in respect of the premises to all poor rates made during the qualifying period. All poor rates due on the 5th January must have been paid on or before July 20. If the owner is liable for the rates, and has not paid them, the tenant may pay them, and deduct the amount from the rent. Wherever the landlord pays the rates, the overseers are bound to insert the occupier's name in the rate-book.
Claims. - The names of qualified householders and occupiers must be placed by the overseers on the list published by them on the 1st August. No claim is necessary in their casem but if any names are omitted by the overseers, a notice of claim must be sent on or before August 20.
3. - LODGERS.
The inhabitant occupier, for the 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of lodgings in the same house within the county (or division) of the clear yearly value, if let unfurnished, of £10 or upwards.
Note. - The term "lodgings" comprises any apartment or place of residence, whether furnished or unfurnished, in a dwelling-house, where the landlord resides and retains control over the passages and outer doors.
Residence is required.
Joint Occupation. - The inhabitant occupier, jointly with others, of lodgings of such clear yearly value, if let unfurnished, as gives a sum of not less than £10 for each occupier is entitled to claim a vote; but no more than two such joint occupiers may be registered in respect of one set of lodgings.
Occupation of lodgings in a Parliamentary borough cannot qualify to vote for a county.
The occupation in immediate succession of different lodgings of sufficient value in the same house will qualify. But removal from one house to another disqualifies for the year.
Additional rooms may be taken during the year without vitiating the qualification.
Claims. - Lodgers not already registered must send to the overseers claims to vote on or before August 20. Those already registered must renew their claims yearly, on or before July 25.
Boroughs
1. - RESERVED RIGHTS.Persons possessing rights permanently or temporarily reserved by the Reform Act of 1832, such as
(1) Freeholders and burgage
Burgage
Burgage is a medieval land term used in England and Scotland, well established by the 13th century. A burgage was a town rental property , owned by a king or lord. The property usually, and distinctly, consisted of a house on a long and narrow plot of land, with the narrow end facing the street...
tenants in cities and towns which are counties of themselves; e.g., Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
, Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, and Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
.
(2) Freemen
Freedom of the City
Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Rhodesia to esteemed members of its community and to organisations to be honoured, often for service to the community;...
and burgesses by servitude (except in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
).
Freemen and liverymen
Livery Company
The Livery Companies are 108 trade associations in the City of London, almost all of which are known as the "Worshipful Company of" the relevant trade, craft or profession. The medieval Companies originally developed as guilds and were responsible for the regulation of their trades, controlling,...
in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
.
Inhabitants, inhabitant householders, inhabitants paying scot and lot
Scot and lot
Scot and lot is a phrase common in the records of English medieval boroughs, applied to householders who were assessed for a tax paid to the borough for local or national purposes.They were usually members of a merchant guild.Before the Reform Act 1832, those who paid scot and bore...
, potwallers. (These rights are now merged in the occupation franchise.)
2. THE OCCUPATION FRANCHISE.
(a) £10 OCCUPIERS:-
The occupier as owner or tenant for 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of any land or tenement within the borough of a clear yearly value of not less than £10.
Note - The word "tenement" includes a warehouse, counting-house, shop, or any part of a house separately occupied for the purpose of any business, trade or profession. Such part may be described in claims as "offices," "chambers," "studios," or by any other applicable term. Sole occupation of one part will qualify, although another part may be occupied jointly.
The voter must have resided in the borough or within 7 miles (City of London 25 miles) of its boundary for the 6 months preceding the 15th July.
Joint Occupation qualifies all the joint occupiers wherever the clear yearly value is enough to give a sum of £10 for each occupier.
Assessed Taxes. - The occupier must also have paid on or before the 20th July all assessed taxes due in respect of the premises up to the 5th January. See also N.B., post.
(b) HOUSEHOLDERS:-
The inhabitant occupier as owner or tenant for 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of any dwelling-house within the borough.
Note - A "dwelling-house" includes, for the purposes of the franchise, any "part of a house which is separately occupied as a dwelling," and where the landlord lets out the whole of the house in apartments, retaining no control. A single room may thus be considered a dwelling-house. Sole occupation of one "part of a house" qualifies, notwithstanding joint occupation of another part. Residence is required. Joint occupation under this head confers no qualification. A man does not lose his vote by letting his house furnished during a part of the qualifying period not exceeding 4 months in the whole.
The Service Franchise.* - Any man who himself inhabits a dwelling-house (as above defined) by virtue of any office, service, or employment, is entitled to a vote in respect of the same, provided that the person under whom he serves does not inhabit the house. The overseers are bound to place the names of all such upon the rate-book as inhabitant householders, notwithstanding that the rent or rates may be paid by their employer. See also N.B. below.
N.B.- Successive Occupation. - If two or more premises in the same borough (whether in the same division or not is immaterial) are occupied in immediate succession, the vote is not thereby lost. If the occupier is omitted from the list, a claim should be sent to the overseer by the 20th August, giving particulars of all the premises so occupied.
Poor Rates. - The occupier must have been rated in respect of the premises to all poor rates made during the qualifying period. All poor rates due on the 5th January must have been paid on or before July 20. If the owner is liable for the rates, and has not paid them, the tenant may pay them, and deduct the amount from the rent. Wherever the landlord pays the rates, the overseers are bound to insert the occupier's name in the rate-book.
Claims. - The names of qualified householders and occupiers must be placed by the overseers on the list published by them on the 1st August. No claim is necessary in their casem but if any names are omitted by the overseers, a notice of claim must be sent on or before August 20.
3. - LODGERS.
The inhabitant occupier, for the 12 months preceding the 15th July in any year of lodgings in the same house within the borough, of the clear yearly value, if let unfurnished, of £10 or upwards.
Note. - The term "lodgings" comprises any apartment or place of residence, whether furnished or unfurnished, in a dwelling-house, where the landlord resides and retains control over the passages and outer doors.
Residence is required.
Joint Occupation. - The inhabitant occupier, jointly with others, of lodgings of such clear yearly value, if let unfurnished, as gives a sum of not less than £10 for each occupier is entitled to claim a vote; but no more than two such joint occupiers may be registered in respect of one set of lodgings.
The occupation in immediate succession of different lodgings of sufficient value in the same house will qualify. But removal from one house to another disqualifies for the year.
Additional rooms may be taken during the year without vitiating the qualification.
Claims. - Lodgers not already registered must send to the overseers claims to vote on or before August 20. Those already registered must renew their claims yearly, on or before July 25.
Numbers enfranchised
The first table below shows the total registered electorate (including university electors), between the 1880 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1880
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* British Electoral Facts 1832-1999, compiled and edited by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher *...
(the last election before the Third Reform Act) and the 1918 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1918
The United Kingdom general election of 1918 was the first to be held after the Representation of the People Act 1918, which meant it was the first United Kingdom general election in which nearly all adult men and some women could vote. Polling was held on 14 December 1918, although the count did...
(the first after that Act was replaced).
The increase in Ireland between 1880 and 1885 was particularly significant, as the Irish county franchise was brought into line with that in Great Britain.
The 1885 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1885
-Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:...
and the 1886 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1886
-Seats summary:-See also:*MPs elected in the UK general election, 1886*The Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885-1918-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987**...
were fought on the same register.
The January 1910 and December 1910 general elections were fought on the same register, except in Scotland. The voters in the second election differed from the 1910 figures in the table with Scotland 779,012 and Universities 46,566 contributing to a total of 7,709,981 registered voters.
| Country | 1880 | 1885 | 1892 | 1895 | 1900 | 1906 | 1910 | 1918 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2,338,809 | 4,094,674 | 4,478,524 | 4,620,320 | 4,929,485 | 5,416,537 | 5,774,892 | 16,021,600 |
| Wales | 149,841 | 282,242 | 314,647 | 322,784 | 340,290 | 387,535 | 425,744 | 1,170,974 |
| Scotland | 293,581 | 560,580 | 589,520 | 616,178 | 661,748 | 728,725 | 762,184 | 2,205,383 |
| Ireland | 229,204 | 737,965 | 740,536 | 732,046 | 757,849 | 686,661 | 683,767 | 1,926,274 |
| Univ. | 28,615 | 32,569 | 37,314 | 39,191 | 41,563 | 45,150 | 48,154 | 68,091 |
| Total | 3,040,050 | 5,708,030 | 6,160,541 | 6,330,519 | 6,730,935 | 7,264,608 | 7,694,741 | 21,392,322 |
- (Source: Adapted from Craig)
The table below provides figures (taken from Parliamentary Papers in 1886 and 1902) for those qualified by various franchises, in England and Wales, after the 1884 reforms and again in 1902.
| Qualification | 1885 | 1902 |
|---|---|---|
| Occupation voters in counties | 2,020,650 | 2,570,928 |
| Occupation voters in boroughs | 1,749,441 | 2,229,381 |
| Ownership voters in counties | 508,554 | 493,694 |
| Lodgers in boroughs | 57,684 | 93,421 |
| Ancient right voters in boroughs | 35,066 | 26,038 |
| Lodgers in counties | 8,937 | 32,894 |
- (Source: Adapted from Seymour)
By comparison when universal manhood suffrage was introduced for the 1918 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1918
The United Kingdom general election of 1918 was the first to be held after the Representation of the People Act 1918, which meant it was the first United Kingdom general election in which nearly all adult men and some women could vote. Polling was held on 14 December 1918, although the count did...
, there were 12,913,166 registered male electors in the United Kingdom (including University electors), as opposed to the registration at the December 1910 general election of 7,709,981 (again including University electors).
The available figures suggest that the 1885-1918 electorate comprised about sixty percent of the adult male population.
See also
- List of Parliaments of the United Kingdom
- Duration of English, British and United Kingdom Parliaments from 1660Duration of English, British and United Kingdom Parliaments from 1660This article augments the lists of Parliaments to be found elsewhere with additional information which could not be conveniently incorporated in them....
- Parliamentary Boroughs and associated County Constituencies 1832-1918Parliamentary Boroughs and associated County Constituencies 1832-1918This article lists Parliamentary Boroughs and associated County Constituencies 1832-1918. The significance of this list is that during this period non-resident 40 shilling freeholders of land located in a borough, qualified for a parliamentary vote in the county.-Franchise provisions:Amongst the...