Today – one hundred years ago – a highly significant law was passed which changed democracy in the UK for ever. The 1918 Representation of the People Act gave all men over the age of 21 and some women the vote for the very first time. It meant the size of the electorate tripled from 7.7 million to 21.4 million with women accounting for about 43 per cent of the electorate, although It was another ten years before women got full voting parity with men. Today, in Parliament, Mrs May, will address an invited audience to mark the occasion which will kick off a year-long series of events and exhibitions commemorating the women and men who fought to achieve electoral equality. This will include ‘ Voice and Vote’, an exhibition which will cover the campaign for votes for women and the representation of women in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, which I look forward to seeing.
But It’s not just about Westminster, I very much hope that schools and community groups across Thirsk and Malton will also get involved in debating and celebrating this important anniversary.
The centenary of the Act is an incredibly important opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come, thanks to the extreme bravery and sacrifice of the women who fought – and in some cases died – for equality. There are all sorts of events planned as part of this year’s UK Parliament Week and countless opportunities for schools and community groups across Thirsk and Malton to get involved in this key anniversary.
There is still more to do and I look forward to working with people across my constituency to ensure that we create an even more equal society.
For more information about the whole programme, please go to www.parliament.uk/vote100 to find out how you can get involved.