the Representation of the People Act 1918

The Representation of the People Act 1918 was a significant law in the UK that expanded voting rights. It granted the right to vote to all men over 21 and women over 30 who met certain property qualifications, ending some restrictions based on property ownership. This act greatly increased the electorate, making parliamentary representation more democratic. It also redistributed parliamentary seats to better reflect population changes. The law marked a major step toward universal suffrage, setting the stage for further reforms that eventually extended voting rights to all adults regardless of gender or property status.