The 1918 Reform Act, Redistribution and Scottish Politics

Abstract

This essay examines the effect of the 1918 Representation of the People Act on Scottish politics. It notes the extensive addition to the electorate with the enfranchisement of adult males and most women over the age of 30 years. The main focus of the essay is on the effect of the provisions of the act in terms of the redistribution of seats in Scotland. Although the overall level of Scottish representation increased from 70 to 71 seats, there was a profound shift from the rural areas of the north and south to the industrial areas of west central Scotland and the city of Glasgow, which was awarded a further eight seats. In addition, the majority of the ‘Districts of Burghs’, a legacy of the Union of 1707, were abolished. It is argued that these changes created new political conditions in Scotland which favoured the Labour Party in the interwar period, and especially in the 1920s. The arguments – economic, historical, and political – deployed in defence of seats scheduled for abolition by the Boundary Commission are analysed.

Speaking as Citizens: Women’s Political Correspondence to Scottish Newspapers 1918–1928

“…Nearly 8.5 million women were enfranchised by the Representation of the People Act of 1918. In Scotland the electorate expanded from 760,000 in 1910 to 2.2 million in 1918 (Cameron 2018). In addition, the redistribution of seats in the country led to a profound shift in representation from the rural areas of the north and south to the industrial areas of west central Scotland and the city of Glasgow.…”

“…In addition, the redistribution of seats in the country led to a profound shift in representation from the rural areas of the north and south to the industrial areas of west central Scotland and the city of Glasgow. These changes created new political conditions in Scotland that favoured the Labour party and led to the demise of the dominance of the Liberals (Cameron 2018). Newspapers across the political spectrum joined women's organisations in urging all new voters to gain a political education and use their vote, while political parties debated how to appeal to these new working-class and female voters (Jarvis 1994).…”

Letters to the Editor

“…Nearly 8.5 million women were enfranchised by the Representation of the People Act of 1918. In Scotland the electorate expanded from 760,000 in 1910 to 2.2 million in 1918 (Cameron 2018). In addition, the redistribution of seats in the country led to a profound shift in representation from the rural areas of the north and south to the industrial areas of west central Scotland and the city of Glasgow.…”

“…In addition, the redistribution of seats in the country led to a profound shift in representation from the rural areas of the north and south to the industrial areas of west central Scotland and the city of Glasgow. These changes created new political conditions in Scotland that favoured the Labour party and led to the demise of the dominance of the Liberals (Cameron 2018). Newspapers across the political spectrum joined women's organisations in urging all new voters to gain a political education and use their vote, while political parties debated how to appeal to these new working-class and female voters (Jarvis 1994).…”