... the franchise is a clear reflection of how democratic British politics was at this time. The Reform Act of 1832 stimulated public agitation, which heightened political consciousness among the working class. The Chartist movement grew out of a demand for voting rights for the working class at a time when Britain was experiencing an economic recession. The charter consisted of six demands: universal suffrage; equal electoral districts; voting by ballot; payment for members of Parliament and the abolition of the property qualification. It must be said the Chartist movement achieved very little. Before the 1867 Reform Act was passed through Parliament, a political battle ensued between William Gladstone who lead the Liberal Party and Benjamin Disraeli, who was the leader of the Conservative Party. Both tried to claim the credit for pushing through this Act of Parliament in a bid to gain the support of the working class voters. ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now