The Enactment of the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928

On September 26, 1928, the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928 took effect in the United Kingdom, marking a pivotal moment in the struggle for gender equality in electoral rights. This legislation granted women the same voting rights as men, a significant advancement from the partial suffrage they had been allotted a decade earlier with the Representation of the People Act 1918.

Context and Preceding Developments

• Representation of the People Act 1918: Prior to 1928, the Representation of the People Act 1918 had enfranchised women over the age of 30 who met minimum property qualifications. This act added approximately 8.4 million women to the electorate but still excluded many others.

• Ongoing Suffrage Movement: The enfranchisement in 1918 was the result of a long and arduous campaign by suffragists and suffragettes, groups led by figures such as Millicent Fawcett and Emmeline Pankhurst. Despite the progress made, the movement continued to advocate for equal suffrage, as the 1918 act did not place women on an equal footing with men, who could vote at the age of 21 without property restrictions.

Legislative Journey

• 1928 Act Introduction: The push for full electoral equality led to the introduction of the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Bill in 1928. This legislative effort aimed to eliminate the age and property disparities between male and female voters.

• Passage and Assent: The bill secured cross-party support and passed both Houses of Parliament. It received Royal Assent on July 2, 1928, and was enacted on September 26 of the same year, extending the right to vote to all women aged 21 and over, aligning their voting rights fully with those of men.

Impact and Aftermath

• Expanding the Electorate: This act effectively increased the number of women voters by five million, essentially doubling the female electorate and thus significantly altering the political landscape of the United Kingdom.

• Broader Women’s Rights Movements: The enactment of the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928 symbolizes a broader cultural shift towards gender equality and was pivotal in energizing subsequent movements aimed at achieving equal rights for women in various aspects of public and private life.

• Legacy: The Act is considered a landmark in the history of British democracy. It not only paved the way for increased female participation in politics but also highlighted the power of sustained advocacy and political reform initiated by grassroots movements for social justice.