Chartism

The Chartists sought political and social reform in the UK during the mid-19th century, between 1838 and 1850. They took their name from the People’s Charter of 1838, which stated the six main aims of the movement as:

1. Universal male suffrage
   A vote for every man twenty-one years of age, of sound mind, and not undergoing punishment for crime.
2. No property qualification to be a Member of Parliament
   Thus enabling the constituencies to return the man of their choice, be he rich or poor.
3. Annual Parliaments
   The most effectual check to bribery and intimidation, since though a constituency might be bought once in seven years (even with the ballot), no purse could buy a constituency (under a system of universal suffrage) in each ensuing twelve-month; and since members, when elected for a year only, would not be able to defy and betray their constituents as now.
4. Equal representation
   Securing the same amount of representation for the same number of electors, instead of allowing small constituencies to swamp the votes of large ones.
5. Payment of MPs
   Enabling an honest tradesman, working man, or other person, to serve a constituency, when taken from his business to attend to the interests of the Country.
6. Secret ballot
   To protect the elector in the exercise of his vote.

Although Chartists called for male suffrage, many women were actively involved in the movement as writers, speakers, and members of Chartist organisations.

Associated figures

Prominent Chartists included a number of humanists, most notably:

• Henry Hetherington
• George Jacob Holyoake

The Reformers’ Memorial at Kensal Green Cemetery also lists the names of many freethinking Chartists.