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Chapter 5 · The UK government, the law and your role

Life in the UK test questions on the development of British democracy

The right to vote widened slowly. The Reform Act of 1832 began the process, all men over 21 could vote by 1918, women were given the vote on the same terms as men in 1928, and the voting age fell to 18 in 1969. Today you must be on the electoral register to vote, and you can register from the age of 16.

Below are 5 free questions on the development of British democracy, taken from handbook section 5.1. Every one is written out in full with its answer and a plain-English explanation — no account, no sign-up and nothing hidden.

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Questions and answers on the development of British democracy

The same 5 questions again, this time with the answers shown. Read the explanation even where you were right — the test asks the same facts several ways.

  1. 1. What does the word 'democracy' mean when it is used to describe how a country is run?

    • A system in which the people hold power, usually through representatives they elect — correct answer
    • A system in which the army chooses the leader
    • A system in which one family rules for life
    • A system in which judges decide who governs

    Democracy means government by the people. In the UK the people do not vote on every decision themselves; they elect representatives to Parliament to decide on their behalf. Handbook section 5.1.

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

    • It increased the number of people who could vote and abolished the rotten boroughs — correct answer
    • It gave women the same voting rights as men
    • It abolished the House of Lords
    • It lowered the voting age to 18

    The Reform Act of 1832 was a first step towards a wider franchise. It swept away the tiny 'rotten boroughs', where a handful of voters elected an MP, and gave the vote to more men. Handbook section 5.1.

  3. 3. The Chartists were seen as a failure at the time. What happened to their demands later?

    • Almost all of them had become law by 1918 — correct answer
    • They were written into a single written constitution
    • They were rejected permanently by an Act of Parliament
    • They were adopted only in Scotland

    The Chartists won nothing immediately, but by 1918 nearly every reform they had asked for was law. Their campaign shaped the democracy the UK has today. Handbook section 5.1.

  4. 4. In 1969 the voting age in the UK was changed. What was it changed to?

    • 18 — correct answer
    • 16
    • 20
    • 25

    The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1969, and 18 remains the age at which you can vote in a UK general election. Handbook section 5.1.

  5. 5. What is meant by universal suffrage?

    • That all adult citizens have the right to vote, whatever their wealth or sex — correct answer
    • That everyone must vote or pay a fine
    • That voting is open to people of any age
    • That every vote is counted twice for accuracy

    Universal suffrage means the vote belongs to all adult citizens rather than to a privileged few. Britain reached it in stages between 1832 and 1928. Handbook section 5.1.

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