Gladstones Successful Legislations 1868-74

There were some positive administrative reforms that benefited Gladstone and the liberals. The civil service reforms introduced competitive examination; therefore ability and not wealth determined who got the job. This allowed many bright young men a chance to a good job with a good standard of living, which won the approval of many middle-class citizens and focused on the liberal aim of meritocracy(government or the holding of power by people selected according to merit) in society. The Judicature Act 1873 was also a positive reform for Britain as it tidied up court cases but had no real immediate benefit to the liberal party.

Army reforms however were not so simple. On the one hand the Army Enlistment Act changed the length of service following the strong Prussian model and introduced more modern weaponry. As a whole it made Britain’s armed forces stronger. However it also raised issues amongst the higher society of Britain, even the Queen herself became involved in the matter. Gladstone wanted to abolish the system that existed where commissions could be purchased (wealth and status still dominated the armed forces). Which this could be argued as one of the lesser successful legislation as status and wealth was still more important.

The education act of 1870 was another successful piece of legislation as it was the foundations of the state education system. This gave people the chance of education, insuring the availability of primary education. Sufficient education was the aim of the act, with the power to insure people can have an elementary education. This fixed the holes within the matter of education. Needed efficient education to insure the system can work, that the quality of the schooling is effective. (However not free or compulsory) ----- Lowe “we must educate our masters”

The ballot act of 1872, bribery and corruption were still rife in the ballots as people voted with a show of hands. This dealt with the fact this made the vote more...