Our suffrage story
The fight for the vote — and everything it’s achieved.
Nearly a century of campaigning secured women the vote on the same terms as men. Here’s how it happened, along with everything the vote has since made possible.
1832–1928
The fight for the vote
- 1832
Henry Hunt MP presents the first petition from an individual woman asking for the vote — Mary Smith from Stanmore in Yorkshire.
- 1866
7 June
The first mass petition for women's suffrage reaches Parliament: over 1,500 signatures from women across the country, presented by MP John Stuart Mill.
- 1867
The first debate on women's suffrage in Parliament — and Lily Maxwell becomes the first woman to vote in a by-election, by mistake.
- 1897
14 October
The National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) is created — an umbrella of suffrage societies from across the country, led by Millicent Garrett Fawcett.
- 1902
Women textile workers from Northern England present a petition to Parliament carrying 37,000 signatures.
- 1903
Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst form the Women's Social and Political Union in Manchester.
- 1905
Suffragette militancy begins; Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenney are arrested.
- 1907
March
A bill for women's enfranchisement is introduced to Parliament, but fails to pass.
The first “Mud March” is organised by the NUWSS — the largest suffrage demonstration yet.
- 1909
July
Suffragettes in prison begin hunger strikes; forced feeding begins.
October
The Women's Tax Resistance League is formed. Its members refuse to pay taxes without having the vote.
- 1910
November
A Conciliation Bill, which would have given the vote to one million women who owned property, fails to become law. On 18 November — Black Friday — protests outside the Houses of Parliament are met with a violent response by police and mass arrests.
- 1911
November
Prime Minister Asquith announces a bill that would give all men the vote.
- 1912
March
A new Conciliation Bill to give women the vote is defeated. The militant campaign of suffragettes escalates in response.
- 1913
April
The Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill-Health) Act — known as the “Cat and Mouse Act” — is passed.
June
Emily Wilding Davison is killed at the Epsom Derby.
18 June – 25 July
50,000 people from across the UK take part in the NUWSS's Pilgrimage for Women's Suffrage.
- 1914
July
The First World War breaks out. An amnesty is offered to suffragettes in prison and they are released. During the war, five million women take up jobs; the NUWSS and WSPU suspend the campaign for the duration.
- 1916
Prime Minister Asquith declares his support for women's suffrage.
- 1918
6 February
The Representation of the People Act is passed, giving women aged over 30 and “of property” the vote.
21 November
The Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act is passed, allowing women to stand for Parliament.
14 December
Women vote in a general election for the first time. Constance Markievicz becomes the first woman elected to Parliament, though she does not take her seat.
- 1919
November
Nancy Astor becomes the first woman to take her seat in Parliament.
- 1928
2 July
The Equal Franchise Act is passed — all women aged over 21 can now vote.
1929–today
What the vote won
- 1929
30 May
Women aged between 21 and 29 vote for the first time.
Margaret Bondfield becomes the first woman cabinet minister.
- 1932
1 October
The Cat and Mouse Act is repealed — though not in Scotland until 1952.
- 1937
The Matrimonial Causes Act gives women greater access and protections related to divorce — extended by a further Act in 1973.
- 1941
Florence White's Spinsters' Pension Campaign leads to the retirement age for women being reduced from 65 to 60.
- 1958
30 April
The Life Peerages Act allows women to sit in the House of Lords as life peers.
- 1963
The Peerage Act allows female hereditary peers to join the House of Lords.
- 1967
The Abortion Act and Family Planning Act allow women to make decisions on planning their families.
- 1968
Barbara Castle becomes the first woman to be Secretary of State.
- 1970
29 May
The Equal Pay Act is passed.
- 1975
The Sex Discrimination Act makes it illegal to discriminate based on sex or marital status in employment, training and education, and introduces rights to maternity leave.
Maureen Colquhoun becomes the first MP known by the public to be gay; in 1976 she is the first MP to request to be known as “Ms”.
- 1979
Margaret Thatcher becomes the first woman Prime Minister.
- 1987
Diane Abbott becomes the first Black woman to be elected as an MP.
- 1992
Betty Boothroyd becomes the first woman Speaker of the House of Commons, and 120 women are elected as MPs.
- 2003
The Sexual Offences Act redefines issues relating to consent, establishing that non-consensual intercourse is a crime.
- 2010
The Equality Act protects individuals against discrimination and strengthens equal pay protections.
- 2015
Women make up 29% of elected MPs.
- 2017
208 women are elected as MPs, making up 32% of the House of Commons.
- 2019
The Voyeurism (Offences) Act makes “upskirting” a specific criminal offence.
- 2021
The Domestic Abuse Act provides a legal definition of domestic abuse — including emotional, economic and psychological abuse — while improving support for survivors.
- 2023
The Online Safety Act requires tech companies to prevent online harassment and protect users, including against image-based sexual abuse.
- 2024
Rachel Reeves becomes the first woman Chancellor of the Exchequer.