Before women could vote, many argued they were too emotional or that their role was only in the home. Opponents claimed women did not need to vote as their husbands could influence elections. Some MPs argued women would wear large hats that obstructed views or were too impressionable. However, many women wanted equal treatment and believed voting would help them gain more control over their lives and influence policies around issues like poverty they faced. Support for women's suffrage grew as more saw voting as a way to participate in class-based politics.

2. Social attitudes - 1
Before women gained the vote
many people took the view that
voting was not something women
should be involved in.
They argued that women were too
effeminate for the rough world of
politics. Others claimed that
women were too emotional –
especially at certain times - to be
given the vote.

3. Social attitudes - 2
Many also argued that there was
no need for women to vote.
If a woman had a husband then
she could express her view by
influencing his vote. There was no
need for her to have this right too.
Also as women did not fight in
wars, some said they should not
make decisions about them.

4. Real MP arguments against women in politics
“Women will
wear big hats”
Rowland Hunt MP
"There are disadvantages
about having women in
Parliament. I do not know
what is going to be done
about their hats.
"How is a poor little man
to get on with a couple of
women wearing
enormous hats in front of
him?"
“Women are too
impressionable”
Sir John Rees MP
"Women are noted for
the adoption of any new
thing, and for the easy
acceptance of other
people's views.
"Are those qualities
which fit women to rule
over the home and
foreign affairs of a mighty
empire?"
“Women already
control men”
Sir James Grant MP
"Men have the vote and the
power at the present
moment; I say for Heaven's
sake let us keep it.
"We are controlled and
worried enough by women
at the present time, and I
have heard no reason why
we should alter the present
state of affairs."

5. Men and the vote
It has also to be remembered that
until 1918, more than one third of
men did not have the vote either.
Given the dominant role of men in
society, many people took the view
that it would not be acceptable for
a woman to be able to vote whilst
a man could not.

6. Female attitudes
Many women were against the
idea of voting and said they would
not use it even if given the right.
They believed politics was no
place for a woman.
Famously Queen Victoria was
against a female franchise,
arguing that women voting was a
“mad, wicked folly”.

8. Belief in equality
Women wanted the vote for the
same reason as men – they
wanted to be treated as equals in
society.
If they did not have the vote, many
women believed this made seem
like less of a real person, and that
voting would help change this.

9. Wanted more control
over own lives
Many women had to live within the
control of their husbands, and
some had to deal with problems
such as domestic abuse. Others
had been abandoned by husbands
and were the head of their house.
Gaining the vote would give them
a feeling of power, and help to
change these problems.

10. Wanted to influence
government
Women had to live with many of
the major problems of the day,
including extreme poverty.
Some believed that if they had the
vote this would force the
government to listen to their views
and brings in laws to improve the
lives of them and their families.

11. Class identity
Linked in with the desire to
influence government was the
growing belief in class politics.
Many working class women saw
their men getting involved in
political activities such as trade
unions and the Labour Party.
They wanted to play a role too,
and voting was one to do this.