English general election, 1705
Encyclopedia
The 1705 election saw contests in 110 constituencies in England and Wales, roughly 41% of the total. The election was fiercely fought, with mob violence occurring in serveral boroughs. During the previous session of Parliament the Tories
had become incrasingly unpopular, and their position was therefore somewhat weakened by the election. Due to the uncertain loyalty of a group of 'moderate' Tories lead by Robert Harley
, the parties were roughly balanced in the House of Commons following the election, encouraging the Whig
s to demand a greater share in the government lead by Marlborough
and Godolphin.
for details. The constituencies used in England and Wales were the same throughout the period. In 1707 alone the 45 Scottish members were not elected from the constituencies, but were returned by co-option of a part of the membership of the last Parliament of Scotland elected before the Union.
Party strengths are an approximation, with many MPs' allegiances being unknown.
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
had become incrasingly unpopular, and their position was therefore somewhat weakened by the election. Due to the uncertain loyalty of a group of 'moderate' Tories lead by Robert Harley
Robert Harley
Robert Harley may refer to:*Robert Harley , English statesman, Member of Parliament for Radnor and Herefordshire*Robert Harley , British Member of Parliament for Radnor...
, the parties were roughly balanced in the House of Commons following the election, encouraging the Whig
Whig
-In the British Isles:* A faction of the Scottish Covenanters during the 17th-century Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and the original Whigs....
s to demand a greater share in the government lead by Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Prince of Mindelheim, KG, PC , was an English soldier and statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs through the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
and Godolphin.
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 in England and Wales were the same throughout the period. In 1707 alone the 45 Scottish members were not elected from the constituencies, but were returned by co-option of a part of the membership of the last Parliament of Scotland elected before the Union.
Party strengths are an approximation, with many MPs' allegiances being unknown.