The culmination of a lifetime's work by the celebrated journalist and historian Paul Foot, The Vote tells the thrilling story of how the universal franchise was secured in Britain, and the slow erosion that followed. Foot takes readers from the smoke-filled church of the Putney Debates to the incendiary arguments between Thomas Paine and Edmund Burke in the aftermath of the French Revolution, to the rise of Chartism and the fight for women's suffrage. Throughout, Foot shows how vested interests first delayed and then hobbled the progress of democracy.

Looking to the twentieth century, Foot exposes the gaps between the promises of a succession of Labour governments and their actions once in power, and the party's abandonment of any aspiration to economic democracy.

Written with Paul Foot's inimitable energy and engaging style, this is a classic work of history and a must-read for anyone interested in the origins of today's political scene.

The British peoples' dramatic struggle for the right to vote

About the Author
Paul Foot was the outstanding left-wing journalist of his generation. For many years he was an investigative journalist for the Daily Mirror. In his later years he wrote for Private Eye and the Guardian. His many books include The Politics of Harold Wilson and Murder at the Farm. Paul Foot died in July 2004.

Reviews
Foot's greatest book -- Tony Benn
Passionate, energetic and invincibly cheerful: the qualities of his final book are also a monument to the man himself -- Francis Wheen * Guardian *
Foot at the height of his powers. Here is the superb journalist, historian, advocate again saying the unsayable -- John Pilger
A work of true scholarship ... irresistibly readable -- Roy Hattersley



Book Information
ISBN 9781804294697
Author Paul Foot
Format Paperback
Page Count 528
Imprint Verso Books
Publisher Verso Books
Weight(grams) 578g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 153mm * 32mm