Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 2…

The idea

Trace how parties changed c1780–1928 in parliament and at elections, in organisation and membership, and assess how far the Commons changed socially by 1928. Around c1780 loose Whig and Tory groupings, managed by patronage, gave way to more organised parties with whips, clubs and national constituency associations. The growth of the Labour Party, rooted in trade unions and socialist societies, added a mass-membership party and by the 1920s replaced the Liberals as the main rival to the Conservatives. Two key developments widened access: the abolition of the property qualification in 1858 let men without landed wealth stand, and payment of MPs in 1911 let working men serve. Argue how far the Commons became less aristocratic and more professional.

What earns the marks

• Explains the changing role of parties in parliament and elections, including discipline, whips and national campaigning, and how this differed from c1780.
• Explains changes in party organisation and membership, such as constituency associations, party clubs and the mass membership of the Labour Party.
• Analyses the growth of the Labour Party, linking trade unions, socialist societies and the changed party system of the 1920s to its rise.
• Analyses the abolition of the property qualification in 1858 and payment of MPs in 1911 as developments that widened who could stand for and serve in the Commons.
• Judges the extent of change in the social makeup of the Commons by 1928, weighing greater diversity against the persistence of wealth, education and class advantages.
• Uses accurate dates and examples, and sustains an argument about extent of change rather than a narrative of party history.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating the Labour Party as appearing suddenly in 1900.

  Put it right by tracing its roots in earlier trade-union and socialist organisation and its gradual growth into a major party.

• Assuming payment of MPs in 1911 immediately transformed the Commons.

  Put it right by explaining that it removed one barrier for working-class candidates while other costs and advantages persisted.

• Confusing the abolition of the property qualification in 1858 with the widening of the franchise.

  Put it right by distinguishing the right to stand as an MP from the right to vote.

Exam tips

• Organise the answer around the three strands: party role, organisation and membership, and social makeup of the Commons, so every part of the question is addressed.
• Use the named developments, 1858 and 1911, as precise evidence and explain the mechanism by which each widened access.
• Sustain a judgement on extent of change, comparing c1780 with 1928 and acknowledging limits as well as progress.