Downloads
![Image representing the file: wp1008.pdf](/sites/default/files/output_url_files/wp1008.pdf_0.jpg)
wp1008.pdf
PDF | 355.77 KB
<p>We use evidence from the Second Reform Act, introduced in the United Kingdom in 1867, to analyze the impact on electoral outcomes of extending the vote to the unskilled urban population. By exploiting the sharp change in the electorate caused by franchise extension, we separate the effect of reform from that of underlying constituency level traits correlated with the voting population. Although we find that the franchise affected electoral competition and candidate selection, there is no evidence that relates Liberal electoral support to changes in the franchise rules. Our results are robust to various sources of endogeneity.</p>
Authors
![Person graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-06/IFS-person-graphic.png?itok=hWCtTSrz)
Samuel Berlinski
![Person graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-06/IFS-person-graphic.png?itok=hWCtTSrz)
Torun Dewan
Working Paper details
- DOI
- 10.1920/wp.ifs.2010.1008
- Publisher
- IFS
Suggested citation
Berlinski, S and Dewan, T. (2010). Did the extension of the franchise increase the Liberal vote in Victorian Britain? Evidence from the Second Reform Act. London: IFS. Available at: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/did-extension-franchise-increase-liberal-vote-victorian-britain-evidence-second-reform (accessed: 3 July 2024).
More from IFS
Understand this issue
![State Pension claim form](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2023-12/state-pension-claim-form.jpg?itok=OCixJu9J)
Where next for the state pension?
13 December 2023
![Nice houses with city in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2023-12/nice-houses-with-city-in-background_0.jpg?itok=TDx-TwSe)
Social mobility and wealth
12 December 2023
![Chancellor Jeremy Hunt with red box](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2023-12/chancellor-jeremy-hunt-with-red-box.jpg?itok=Dah5hdYC)
Autumn Statement 2023: IFS analysis
23 November 2023
Policy analysis
![Welsh town with mountains behind](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/Welsh-town-feature.jpg?itok=5axb5wZn)
How would the parties’ tax and spending plans affect Scotland and Wales?
28 June 2024
![Man putting vote into ballot box](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2022-07/Man-putting-vote-into-ballot-box.jpg?itok=Pa6g41dr)
General Election 2024: Manifesto Analysis Presentations
24 June 2024
![Shopping street](/sites/default/files/styles/square_desktop/public/2024-06/Street-scene-.jpg?itok=R39cR6Xp)
How do the last five years measure up on levelling up?
19 June 2024
Academic research
![Working paper cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/WP202428-The-impact-of%20labour-demand-shocks-when-occupational-labour-supplies-are-heterogeneous.jpg?itok=Erq9-V9O)
The impact of labour demand shocks when occupational labour supplies are heterogeneous
28 June 2024
![Working Paper Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/WP202427-The-impact-of-flexibility-at-work-on-fertility_Page_01.jpg?itok=pHaEvbkK)
The impact of flexibility at work on fertility
11 June 2024
![Working Paper Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/2024-06/WP202426-Intergenerational-mobility-in-socio-emotional-skills_Page_01.jpg?itok=wH1znQhh)
Intergenerational mobility in socio-emotional skills
5 June 2024