Septennial Act

This is an ongoing page for Septennial Act that was passed by Great Britain Parliament on May 1716. The Septennial Act was a law passed by the Parliament of Great Britain in 1715. and substituted the prior Triennial Act of 1694 which had stipulated that general elections for the House of Commons should be held every three years.

Introduction

The Septennial Act of 1715, also known as the Septennial Act of George I, was a significant electoral reform passed by the Parliament of Great Britain. This act increased the maximum term of a Parliament from three to seven years, lowering the frequency of general elections. The Septennial Act had far-reaching consequences for the stability of the government, political parties, and the electoral system as a whole.

Historical Context

Following the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the Act of Settlement in 1701, a period of political unrest preceded the enactment of the Septennial Act. The Protestant succession to the British crown was cemented by these developments, but the country still had trouble setting up a reliable system of government. In light of this, the Septennial Act aimed to give Parliaments a more firm foundation for government by extending their terms.

Outcome and Impact

The Septennial Act of 1715 had far-reaching consequences for British politics. By reducing the frequency of general elections, the act curtailed the influence of popular sentiment on the composition of the government. This change increased the power of long-standing political parties, making it more challenging for young or marginalized parties to win support. Furthermore, longer parliamentary terms provided incumbents with greater security, reducing the necessity of constantly appealing to their constituents. The implications of the Septennial Act extended beyond the immediate political landscape. The establishment of a seven-year term as the norm laid the groundwork for subsequent electoral reforms. In 1911, the Parliament Act further reduced the maximum duration to five years, a figure that remains in effect today. Moreover, the Septennial Act set a precedent for electoral reform in other nations, such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where seven-year parliamentary terms were also adopted.

Sources

Cultures of Power in Europe during the Long Eighteenth Century

The Long Eighteenth Century: British Political and Social History 1688-1832