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The Reform Act of 1832

Study note

The Reform Act of 1832 was an important early change to Britain's voting system. Before this Act, the system was very unfair. Some areas with hardly any voters, known as 'rotten boroughs', still elected Members of Parliament, while large growing towns had little or no representation.

The 1832 Reform Act removed the worst of these rotten boroughs, gave more seats to the growing towns and cities, and greatly increased the number of people who could vote. At this stage, however, only men could vote, and a person still usually had to own property. The Act did not give women the vote, abolish Parliament or create the NHS. Remember it as the 1832 reform that increased voting rights and made the system of seats fairer.

Memory tip: 1832 Reform Act: scrapped rotten boroughs, more votes, fairer seats for towns.

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What did the Reform Act of 1832 do?

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The Reform Act of 1832: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. What did the Reform Act of 1832 do?

    • Increased the number of people who could vote and reformed the seats
    • Created the NHS
    • Abolished Parliament
    • Gave women the right to vote

    Correct answer: Increased the number of people who could vote and reformed the seats

    The 1832 Reform Act increased voting rights and removed 'rotten boroughs'.

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