General election trail: 1918 - People's History Museum: The national museum of democracy

Image of Napkin bordered with red roses and flags, with a central illustration of Dan Irving MP, and black text including: 'Souvenir of Labour's Success, Burnley Parliamentary Election, 14th December 1918.'

1918 general election

Paper napkin celebrating the election of Dan Irving as Burnley’s MP in 1918

This was the first general election after the end of the First World War (1914-1918). It led to the wartime Coalition government (mostly Liberals and Conservatives) continuing to govern, having gained a huge majority of 614 out 707 seats in parliament.

Did you know? This was the first parliamentary election in which women could stand as candidates. It led to the first female MP, Sinn Fein’s Constance Markievicz, being elected. In line with her party’s policy she did not take her seat in parliament.

Who was Constance Markievicz? Read our blog