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Britain has a proud tradition of popular involvement in politics. Attempts to keep those in charge honest and accountable, whether they were members of royalty or politicians, date back 800 years to Magna Carta. This was Britain’s first ‘people’s charter’ but, politics being what it is, the issue of fair representation didn’t go away. In 1838, a new People’s Charter was drawn up, with the primary aim of securing the vote for all men over 21. Women were not overlooked: their struggle for the vote had already begun. In the spirit of setting achievable goals, however, fighting for rights of men was more realistic. The Chartist movement gained in strength and popularity across the country.
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