British general election, 1722
Encyclopedia
The British general election of 1722 elected members to serve in the House of Commons
of the 6th Parliament of Great Britain
. This event took place following the merger of the Parliament of England
and the Parliament of Scotland
in 1707. The election was fiercely fought, with contests taking place in more than half the constituencies, unusually for the time. Despite the level of public involvement, however, with the Whigs having consolidated their control over virtually every branch of government, Walpole's party commanded almost a monopoly of electoral patronage, and was therefore able to increase its majority in Parliament even as its popular support fell.
Whereas previously election results had broadly reflected the opinion of at least the minority of adult males who had the vote, though the system had always been subject to the influence of corruption and patronage; now that one-party government had been established, that influence could be used systematically to ensure the government's victory. This election set the pattern for much of the rest of the eighteenth century; as partisan feeling began to decline during the years of Whig oligarchy, the rigging of elections became ever easier, so that British governments could almost always guarantee victory.
for details. The constituencies used were the same throughout the existence of the Parliament of Great Britain.
At this period elections did not take place at the same time in every constituency. The returning officer in each county or parliamentary borough
fixed the precise date (see hustings for details of the conduct of the elections).
House of Commons of Great Britain
The House of Commons of Great Britain was the lower house of the Parliament of Great Britain between 1707 and 1801. In 1707, as a result of the Acts of Union of that year, it replaced the House of Commons of England and the third estate of the Parliament of Scotland, as one of the most significant...
of the 6th Parliament of Great Britain
Parliament of Great Britain
The Parliament of Great Britain was formed in 1707 following the ratification of the Acts of Union by both the Parliament of England and Parliament of Scotland...
. This event took place following the merger of the Parliament of England
Parliament of England
The Parliament of England was the legislature of the Kingdom of England. In 1066, William of Normandy introduced a feudal system, by which he sought the advice of a council of tenants-in-chief and ecclesiastics before making laws...
and the Parliament of Scotland
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
in 1707. The election was fiercely fought, with contests taking place in more than half the constituencies, unusually for the time. Despite the level of public involvement, however, with the Whigs having consolidated their control over virtually every branch of government, Walpole's party commanded almost a monopoly of electoral patronage, and was therefore able to increase its majority in Parliament even as its popular support fell.
Whereas previously election results had broadly reflected the opinion of at least the minority of adult males who had the vote, though the system had always been subject to the influence of corruption and patronage; now that one-party government had been established, that influence could be used systematically to ensure the government's victory. This election set the pattern for much of the rest of the eighteenth century; as partisan feeling began to decline during the years of Whig oligarchy, the rigging of elections became ever easier, so that British governments could almost always guarantee victory.
Summary of the Constituencies
See British general election, 1796British general election, 1796
The British general election, 1796 returned members to serve in the 18th and last House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain to be held before the formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on 1 January 1801...
for details. The constituencies used were the same throughout the existence of the Parliament of Great Britain.
Dates of Election
The general election was held between 19 March 1722 and 9 May 1722.At this period elections did not take place at the same time in every constituency. The returning officer in each county or parliamentary borough
Parliamentary borough
Parliamentary boroughs are a type of administrative division, usually covering urban areas, that are entitled to representation in a Parliament...
fixed the precise date (see hustings for details of the conduct of the elections).
See also
- List of Parliaments of Great Britain
- MPs elected in the British general election, 1722