Women in politics

{See also Press cuttings about women in politics before 1850 }

{See also Watching MPs}

{See also Voting for MPs}

{See also The 1868 registration battles}

{See also Suffrage press cuttings}

{See also The local vote}

{See also Images of suffragists}

In 1918, eleven women stood for parliament. The only one elected was Constance Markievicz, who would not take her seat because she was a Sinn Feinner.

In 1919, Nancy Astor won a by-election in Plymouth, where her husband had been MP until raised to the Lords.

In 1923, eight women were elected.

In 1924, four women were elected.

In 1919 the House of Lords refused to pass the Women's Emancipation Bill, which intended to equalise the suffrage and admit peeresses to the House of Lords.

In 1922 Lady Rhondda, a hereditary peeress and feminist, claimed that the 1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Bill, which stated that women were no longer be disqualified from holding any public office or function, meant that she could take her place in the House of Lords. The Committee of Privileged voted 22 to 4 against.

In 1928, the Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act gave women the vote on the same terms as men (they could vote at age 21).

In 1963, peeresses were admitted to the House of Lords.

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All pages © Helena Wojtczak 2009. Corrections and additions are warmly welcomed. Email me