Background
Following the horrors of World War I, millions of returning soldiers would, but for the passing of the Representation of the People Act in February 1918, still not have been entitled to vote. This posed a dilemma for politicians since they could not withhold the vote from the very men who were considered to have fought to preserve the British political system. By 1884 and the passing of the Third Reform Act, 60% of male householders over the age of 21 had the vote. The issue of a female right to vote first gathered momentum during the early years of the 20th Century based on the work of liberal thinkers such as John Stuart Mill. The Suffragettes and Suffragists had pushed for their own right to be represented prior to World War I but very little was achieved before the war.
The issue was raised by Suffragist Millicent Fawcett at the Speaker's Conference in 1916. She called for the age for voting to be lowered to 18 overthrowing the male majority. She also suggested that, if this would not be possible, women 30-35 years old should be enfranchised.
Read more about this topic: Representation Of The People Act 1918
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