MP for Bromsgrove, Sajid Javid is supporting a year-long programme of events organised by the UK Parliament to mark 100 years since the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which gave all men and some women the vote for the first time.
The Vote 100 programme includes a wide range of events and activities commemorating the women and men who fought to achieve electoral equality. The Representation of the People Act extended the right to vote to all men over 21 and the first women, making this one of the most important centenaries in British democratic history.
Throughout the year there will be a major exhibition in Parliament – “Voice and Vote” – as well as an exciting programme of talks and tours in Parliament. There will also be a number of UK-wide events, such as EqualiTeas and UK Parliament Week 2018. Schools and community groups in Bromsgrove are encouraged to get involved in debating and celebrating this important anniversary in our democracy.
Sajid Javid MP said:
“The Representation of the People Act 1918 was a vital step towards the rights women have today, and the centenary of the Act is an incredibly important opportunity for us to reflect on how far we have come, thanks to the extreme bravery and sacrifice of the women who fought – and in some cases died – for equality."
“Whether it’s chatting about the issues over a cup of tea, or engaging with one of the many exciting events as part of this year’s UK Parliament Week, there are countless opportunities for schools and community groups across Bromsgrove to get involved in this key anniversary. “We all know that there is still more to do, and I look forward to working with people across Bromsgrove to ensure we create an even more equal society.”
Notes to Editors
As part of the Vote 100 programme, Parliament is releasing a series of hard-hitting films to highlight how four key acts changed the lives of women. Four women have agreed to speak directly to camera in highly personal interviews about the difference the Representation of the People Act 1918, the Female Genital Mutilation Act, the NHS Act and Abortion Act have made to their lives. This the third instalment of Your Story, Our History, a film series that explores how legislation passed by the UK Parliament can transform people’s lives.
As part of Vote 100, Westminster Hall, the oldest part of Parliament, will host a major free public exhibition “Voice and Vote: Women’s Place in Parliament” this summer. The story of women and parliament will be told through immersive and interactive technologies to help recreate lost historic spaces that were used by women in the Palace of Westminster. It will include key historic objects from Parliamentary collections and significant loans from around the UK.
EqualiTeas, which will take place between 18 June and 2 July, will be a UK-wide celebration of the 1928 Equal Franchise Act, which enabled men and women to vote on an equal basis. Schools and community groups are being asked to get together over a cup of tea to share, debate and celebrate this important anniversary. If you register your event on the EqualiTeas website (equaliteas.org.uk) you will receive a free pack of resources, including our EqualiTeas board game.
This year, UK Parliament Week will take place from 12-18 November. Schools are invited to take part in this festival, and engage pupils with the UK Parliament. Schools can register events from now, and they will receive a free kit including activities, ideas and all the materials needed to take part. Find out more and register, before 30 September at ukparliamentweek.org.
