Changes

While I outlined six major statutes reforming the British system over at the article describing [[democracy]], there were a few important changes I failed to mention, such as the institution of the [[secret ballot]] in Britain by an act of 1872 (I think).  Prior to that, an [[elector]] (man with the [[franchise]]) had to stand in front of election officials and his peers and state for all to hear, "I vote for. . ."  What made British democracy viable throughout the period in question was more than anything the independence of the [[judiciary]] and the [[rule of law]].

While I outlined six major statutes reforming the British system over at the article describing [[democracy]], there were a few important changes I failed to mention, such as the institution of the [[secret ballot]] in Britain by an act of 1872 (I think).  Prior to that, an [[elector]] (man with the [[franchise]]) had to stand in front of election officials and his peers and state for all to hear, "I vote for. . ."  What made British democracy viable throughout the period in question was more than anything the independence of the [[judiciary]] and the [[Rule of Law]].

In truth, the [[House of Lords]] was in decline in England before the [[Parliament Act]] of 1911.  The last [[Prime Minister]] chosen from that House who was not forced to renounce his title was the [[Marquess of Salisbury]] in the late 1890's.  I consider the Parliament Act to be of equal significance to any of the Reform Acts because it removed the power of unelected lords and ladies to block a [[budget]], the lifeblood of modern government.

In truth, the [[House of Lords]] was in decline in England before the [[Parliament Act]] of 1911.  The last [[Prime Minister]] chosen from that House who was not forced to renounce his title was the [[Marquess of Salisbury]] in the late 1890's.  I consider the Parliament Act to be of equal significance to any of the Reform Acts because it removed the power of unelected lords and ladies to block a [[budget]], the lifeblood of modern government.