After the Second Reform Bill

Abstract

After 1832 electoral behaviour was influenced by three related factors – partial enfranchisement, the social relations within the electoral community and the public nature of open voting. In borough constituencies there was a link between the elector and the social environment that can be described in terms of social networks. Such networks were used to influence the behaviour of electors and, with the institutional structure created by the Reform Bill, contributed to the development and growth of local party organization.