This week has seen one of the biggest exercises in democracy in the history of the country, with 33.5million people casting a vote in the EU referendum. Yet, as recently as 1969, young people didn't have a vote, while campaigners died at the Peterloo Massacre in Manchester, in 1819, trying to get the vote for ordinary people. The campaign was enforced by the huge Chartist rallies in Salford, on Kersal Moor in the 1830s, followed by the Suffragettes in the 20th Century.
The history of the fight for the vote is depicted in a Voting for Change project at both the People's History Museum and the Working Class Movement Library, which, next Saturday 2nd July, sees a Democracy Drop In, exploring new objects acquired as part of the Heritage Lottery funded scheme.
These include an archive of election material from North Lincolnshire - including expenses spent on beer and breakfasts for voters - and an 1819 cartoon arguing that it would be 'the scum' who would rise to the top if more people got the vote.
The Drop In is a chance to get up close to some seriously historic objects, and, if needed, a member of staff will be on hand to discuss the past and present. There's sure to be lots of debate after the Brexit vote...
Democracy Drop In
Saturday 2nd July 11am-2pm free
Working Class Movement Library
51, The Crescent
M5 4WX
For further details see the WCML website – click here
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