Reform

Reform, in English politics, specifically the removal of abuses and restrictions relating to the election of parliamentary representatives, tending to place the franchise on a more democratic basis. The first Reform Bill of 1832, demanded by a genuine and impressive display of public feeling, increased the representation of large towns, abolished many small borough constituencies, in which election was determined either by bribery or the will of an influential person, and extended the franchise. In 1849 and 1866 Lord J. Russell introduced Reform Bills, which were thrown out. In 1867 Mr. Disraeli got a Reform Bill passed which gave household suffrage in boroughs and lowered the qualification for the county franchise. In 1884 Mr. Gladstone's Government introduced a Reform Bill, which virtually established manhood suffrage, in connection with a Bill for the Redistribution of Seats. The Ballot Act and the Acts for the suppression of corrupt practices at elections were also measures of reform. The subject is not yet exhausted.