All that was done in the nineteenth century was to repeal these Acts, and to throw open the universities and public offices to Nonconformists.

It is only, however, in recent years that Nonconformists have filled posts of high importance in the Cabinet.
The last attempt at restriction on the religious beliefs of members of Parliament was made in the House of Commons itself, when Charles Bradlaugh, after being duly elected M.P.for Northampton, was by the action of the House excluded from his seat.

Bradlaugh was a frank disbeliever in Christianity, and the House of Commons refused to allow him either to take the oath or make an affirmation.

For five years (1880-5) the struggle lasted--a Liberal Government being in power all the time--and three times during that period the electors of Northampton triumphantly returned Charles Bradlaugh as their member, only to be answered by resolutions of refusal and expulsion passed by the House of Commons against their representative.

It was a repetition of the battle Wilkes had fought one hundred and twenty years earlier, and it ended in the same way.