Reading (UK Parliament constituency)
Encyclopedia
Reading was a parliamentary borough
, and later a borough constituency, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. It comprised the town of Reading
in the county of Berkshire
.
From 1295, as a parliamentary borough, Reading elected two Members of Parliament
(MPs). When the parliamentary borough was replaced by a borough constituency in 1885, this representation was reduced to a single MP. The constituency was abolished in 1950, re-created in 1955, and finally abolished in 1974.
. The boundaries (encompassing the whole of one parish and parts of two others) were effectively unchanged from 1295 to 1918. In 1831, the population of the borough was 15,935, and contained 3,307 houses.
The right to vote was exercised by all inhabitants paying scot and lot
, a relatively wide franchise for the period, and almost 2,000 votes were cast at the general election of 1826. Despite this high electorate, the corporation of the town was generally considered in practice to control elections to a large extent. In the second half of the 18th century, Reading was notoriously one of the most corrupt constituencies in England, bribery being both routine and expensive: Namier quotes the accounts kept for Prime Minister Newcastle
of the 1754 election, which note that John Dodd
, the government's candidate there, had already received £1000 and was promised £500 or £600 more to help him win the seat. (Dodd lost by one vote, but had the result overturned on petition by a partisan vote in the House of Commons, and Newcastle's accounts show a continuing trickle of funds to him to nurse the constituency over the next few years.) A few years later, the nomination to one of Reading's seats was advertised for sale in a London newspaper, though Reading was not mentioned by name and no price was specified; the newspaper's printers were charged by the Commons with a breach of privilege
, but the sale of seats remained legal if frowned-upon until 1809.
The Great Reform Act left Reading's representation and boundaries unchanged, and the reformed franchise far from increasing its electorate seems to have reduced it: it was estimated that there were 1,250 voters in 1831, but only 1,001 were registered for the first post-Reform election, that of 1832.
The Representation of the People Act 1884
, coming into effect at the 1885 general election, caused the parliamentary borough to be replaced by a borough constituency, and reduced Reading's representation to a single MP. The single-member Reading constituency continued to exist until it was split in 1950 into the separate constituencies of Reading North
and Reading South
. These two constituencies were merged back into a single Reading constituency in 1955, but again split apart in 1974. Today the area formerly covered by the Reading constituency is within the constituencies of Reading East and Reading West
.
Parliamentary borough
Parliamentary boroughs are a type of administrative division, usually covering urban areas, that are entitled to representation in a Parliament...
, and later a borough constituency, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
. It comprised the town of Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
in the county of Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
.
From 1295, as a parliamentary borough, Reading elected two Members of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MPs). When the parliamentary borough was replaced by a borough constituency in 1885, this representation was reduced to a single MP. The constituency was abolished in 1950, re-created in 1955, and finally abolished in 1974.
History
Reading was one of the boroughs summoned to send members to the Model ParliamentModel Parliament
The Model Parliament is the term, attributed to Frederic William Maitland, used for the 1295 Parliament of England of King Edward I. This assembly included members of the clergy and the aristocracy, as well as representatives from the various counties and boroughs. Each county returned two knights,...
. The boundaries (encompassing the whole of one parish and parts of two others) were effectively unchanged from 1295 to 1918. In 1831, the population of the borough was 15,935, and contained 3,307 houses.
The right to vote was exercised by all inhabitants paying scot and lot
Scot and lot
Scot and lot is a phrase common in the records of English medieval boroughs, applied to householders who were assessed for a tax paid to the borough for local or national purposes.They were usually members of a merchant guild.Before the Reform Act 1832, those who paid scot and bore...
, a relatively wide franchise for the period, and almost 2,000 votes were cast at the general election of 1826. Despite this high electorate, the corporation of the town was generally considered in practice to control elections to a large extent. In the second half of the 18th century, Reading was notoriously one of the most corrupt constituencies in England, bribery being both routine and expensive: Namier quotes the accounts kept for Prime Minister Newcastle
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and 1st Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne, KG, PC was a British Whig statesman, whose official life extended throughout the Whig supremacy of the 18th century. He is commonly known as the Duke of Newcastle.A protégé of Sir Robert Walpole, he served...
of the 1754 election, which note that John Dodd
John Dodd (Reading MP)
John Dodd was an English Whig politician.John Dodd was educated at King's College, Cambridge. A close friend of Horace Walpole, he was Member of Parliament for Reading in Berkshire in 1741, and from 1755 to 1782. He lived at Swallowfield Park.- References :...
, the government's candidate there, had already received £1000 and was promised £500 or £600 more to help him win the seat. (Dodd lost by one vote, but had the result overturned on petition by a partisan vote in the House of Commons, and Newcastle's accounts show a continuing trickle of funds to him to nurse the constituency over the next few years.) A few years later, the nomination to one of Reading's seats was advertised for sale in a London newspaper, though Reading was not mentioned by name and no price was specified; the newspaper's printers were charged by the Commons with a breach of privilege
Parliamentary privilege
Parliamentary privilege is a legal immunity enjoyed by members of certain legislatures, in which legislators are granted protection against civil or criminal liability for actions done or statements made related to one's duties as a legislator. It is common in countries whose constitutions are...
, but the sale of seats remained legal if frowned-upon until 1809.
The Great Reform Act left Reading's representation and boundaries unchanged, and the reformed franchise far from increasing its electorate seems to have reduced it: it was estimated that there were 1,250 voters in 1831, but only 1,001 were registered for the first post-Reform election, that of 1832.
The Representation of the People Act 1884
Representation of the People Act 1884
In the United Kingdom, the Representation of the People Act 1884 and the Redistribution Act of the following year were laws which further extended the suffrage in Britain after the Disraeli Government's Reform Act 1867...
, coming into effect at the 1885 general election, caused the parliamentary borough to be replaced by a borough constituency, and reduced Reading's representation to a single MP. The single-member Reading constituency continued to exist until it was split in 1950 into the separate constituencies of Reading North
Reading North (UK Parliament constituency)
Reading North was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
and Reading South
Reading South (UK Parliament constituency)
Reading South was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
. These two constituencies were merged back into a single Reading constituency in 1955, but again split apart in 1974. Today the area formerly covered by the Reading constituency is within the constituencies of Reading East and Reading West
Reading West (UK Parliament constituency)
Reading West is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like all such constituencies, it elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
.
1295–1660
- Constituency created 1295
| Parliament | First member | Second member |
|---|---|---|
| 1386 | William Stapper | Robert atte Lee |
| 1388 (Feb) | David atte Hacche | Richard Bedull |
| 1388 (Sep) | John Balet | Nicholas Vachell |
| 1390 (Jan) | John Kent | Robert Capellade |
| 1390 (Nov) | ||
| 1391 | Henry Barbour | John Doublet |
| 1393 | William Catour | David atte Hacche |
| 1394 | William Saville | William Tho... |
| 1395 | William Shortwade | John Ede |
| 1397 (Jan) | John White | Richard Pernecote |
| 1397 (Sep) | Thomas Selham | Robert Godewyn |
| 1399 | Roger Hay | John Hunt |
| 1401 | ||
| 1402 | ||
| 1404 (Jan) | John Kent | William Derby |
| 1404 (Oct) | ||
| 1406 | John Hunt | Philip Richard |
| 1407 | John Merehan | William Kenelme |
| 1410 | John White | Alexander Colshull |
| 1411 | ||
| 1413 (Feb) | ||
| 1413 (May) | William Wilton | Richard Farle |
| 1414 (Apr) | John Hastyng | John Clerk |
| 1414 (Nov) | Stephen Stapper | John Pernecote |
| 1415 | ||
| 1416 (Mar) | Walter Mustard | Thomas Lavyngton 1 |
| 1416 (Oct) | ||
| 1417 | Alexander Colshull | Thomas Lavyngton |
| 1419 | Robert Morys | Richard Cross |
| 1420 | Thomas Lavyngton | John Veyr |
| 1421 (May) | Thomas Lavyngton | Simon Porter alias Kent |
| 1421 (Dec) | John Hunt | William Kyng |
| 1510 | Richard Cleche | William Justice |
| 1512 | William Gifford | Richard Smith |
| 1515 | Edmund Knightley | John Pownsar |
| 1523 | Nicholas Hyde | William Edmunds |
| 1529 | Thomas Vachell I | John Raymond |
| 1536 | Thomas Vachell I | John Raymond |
| 1539 | ?Thomas Vachell I | ?John Raymond |
| 1542 | Thomas Vachell I | Richard Justice |
| 1545 | Thomas Vachell I | Roger Amyce |
| 1547 | William Grey, died May 1551 repl. 1552 by Sir John Mason |
John Marshe |
| 1553 (Mar) | John Bourne | John Winchcombe |
| 1553 (Oct) | Thomas Vachell I | John Bell |
| 1554 (Apr) | Robert Bowyer III | John Lovelace |
| 1554 (Nov) | John Bourne | Edmund Plowden |
| 1555 | Thomas Vachell II | John Bell |
| 1558 | Thomas Aldworth | John Bell |
| 1558/9 | Thomas Aldworth | Thomas Turner |
| 1562/3 | Henry Knollys Henry Knollys (MP) Henry Knollys was an English courtier, privateer and Member of Parliament.He was born the eldest son of Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, and Catherine Carey, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I... |
Robert Rowbotham |
| 1571 | Henry Knollys Henry Knollys (MP) Henry Knollys was an English courtier, privateer and Member of Parliament.He was born the eldest son of Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, and Catherine Carey, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I... |
John Hastings |
| 1572 | Robert Knollys Robert Knollys (died 1619) Sir Robert Knollys was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1572 and 1611.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, and Catherine Carey, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I. He quickly entered the... |
Francis Alford |
| 1584 | Robert Knollys Robert Knollys (died 1619) Sir Robert Knollys was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1572 and 1611.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, and Catherine Carey, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I. He quickly entered the... |
Robert Harris |
| 1586 | Robert Knollys Robert Knollys (died 1619) Sir Robert Knollys was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1572 and 1611.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, and Catherine Carey, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I. He quickly entered the... |
Robert Harris |
| 1588 | Robert Knollys Robert Knollys (died 1619) Sir Robert Knollys was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1572 and 1611.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, and Catherine Carey, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I. He quickly entered the... , sat for Breconshire, repl. Feb 1589 by Thomas Egerton |
Robert Harris |
| 1593 | Humphrey Donatt | Charles Wednester |
| 1597 | Sir Humphrey Forster | Francis Moore Francis Moore (barrister) Sir Francis Moore was a prominent Jacobean barrister and MP.He was born the posthumous son of Edward Moore, a yeoman of East Ilsley in Berkshire and educated at Reading Grammar School and St John's College, Oxford.... |
| 1601 | Francis Moore Francis Moore (barrister) Sir Francis Moore was a prominent Jacobean barrister and MP.He was born the posthumous son of Edward Moore, a yeoman of East Ilsley in Berkshire and educated at Reading Grammar School and St John's College, Oxford.... |
Anthony Blagrave |
| 1604 | Francis Moore Francis Moore (barrister) Sir Francis Moore was a prominent Jacobean barrister and MP.He was born the posthumous son of Edward Moore, a yeoman of East Ilsley in Berkshire and educated at Reading Grammar School and St John's College, Oxford.... |
Jerome Bowes Jerome Bowes Sir Jerome Bowes was an English ambassador to Russia and Member of Parliament in England.-Early life:He was of a Durham family, son of John Bowes, who married Anne, daughter of Gunville of Gorleston in Suffolk . His name occurs in the list of the gentlemen who followed Edward Clinton, to France,... |
| 1614 | Francis Moore Francis Moore (barrister) Sir Francis Moore was a prominent Jacobean barrister and MP.He was born the posthumous son of Edward Moore, a yeoman of East Ilsley in Berkshire and educated at Reading Grammar School and St John's College, Oxford.... |
Robert Knollys Robert Knollys (died 1619) Sir Robert Knollys was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1572 and 1611.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Royal Household, and Catherine Carey, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I. He quickly entered the... |
| 1621-1622 | Anthony Barker | John Sanders |
| 1624 | Francis Knollys III Francis Knollys (died 1643) Sir Francis Knollys was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1624 and 1643.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys of Battle Manor at Reading in Berkshire and his wife, Lettice, daughter of John Barrett of Hanham in Gloucestershire. He matriculated at Queen's... |
John Sanders |
| 1625 | Francis Knollys III Francis Knollys (died 1643) Sir Francis Knollys was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1624 and 1643.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys of Battle Manor at Reading in Berkshire and his wife, Lettice, daughter of John Barrett of Hanham in Gloucestershire. He matriculated at Queen's... |
John Sanders |
| 1626 | Francis Knollys III Francis Knollys (died 1643) Sir Francis Knollys was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1624 and 1643.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys of Battle Manor at Reading in Berkshire and his wife, Lettice, daughter of John Barrett of Hanham in Gloucestershire. He matriculated at Queen's... |
John Sanders |
| 1628 | Francis Knollys III Francis Knollys (died 1643) Sir Francis Knollys was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1624 and 1643.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys of Battle Manor at Reading in Berkshire and his wife, Lettice, daughter of John Barrett of Hanham in Gloucestershire. He matriculated at Queen's... |
John Sanders |
| 1629-1640 | No Parliaments summoned | |
1640–1885
- Apr 1640: Francis Knollys IIIFrancis Knollys (died 1643)Sir Francis Knollys was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1624 and 1643.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys of Battle Manor at Reading in Berkshire and his wife, Lettice, daughter of John Barrett of Hanham in Gloucestershire. He matriculated at Queen's...
; Adm. Francis KnollysFrancis Knollys (admiral)Sir Francis Knollys was an English privateer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1575 and 1648.... - Nov 1640: Francis Knollys IIIFrancis Knollys (died 1643)Sir Francis Knollys was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1624 and 1643.Knollys was the son of Sir Francis Knollys of Battle Manor at Reading in Berkshire and his wife, Lettice, daughter of John Barrett of Hanham in Gloucestershire. He matriculated at Queen's...
(died 1643); Adm. Francis KnollysFrancis Knollys (admiral)Sir Francis Knollys was an English privateer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1575 and 1648....
(died 1648) - Daniel BlagraveDaniel BlagraveDaniel Blagrave was a prominent resident of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. He was Member of Parliament for the Parliamentary Borough of Reading over several periods between 1640 and 1660, and was also one of the signatories of King Charles I's death warrant.Daniel...
from 1645 - Tanfield VachellTanfield VachellTanfield Vachell was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1645 and 1653.Vachell was the son of John Vachell of Warfield and his wife Mary Vincent, daughter of Clement Vincent of Peckleton, Leicestershire. He was baptised Gayton, Northamptonshire on 27 December 1602...
from 1648 - 1653: Not represented in Barebones Parliament
- 1654: Robert HammondRobert Hammond (English army officer)Robert Hammond was an officer in the New Model Army under Oliver Cromwell during the First English Civil War and a politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1654. He is best known for his year-long role in keeping Charles I of England in custody.-Early life:Hammond was the second son of...
- 1656: Daniel BlagraveDaniel BlagraveDaniel Blagrave was a prominent resident of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. He was Member of Parliament for the Parliamentary Borough of Reading over several periods between 1640 and 1660, and was also one of the signatories of King Charles I's death warrant.Daniel...
- 1659: Henry NevilleHenry Neville (writer)Henry Neville was an English author and satirist, best remembered for his tale of shipwreck and dystopia, The Isle of Pines published in 1668.-Life:...
; Daniel BlagraveDaniel BlagraveDaniel Blagrave was a prominent resident of the town of Reading, in the English county of Berkshire. He was Member of Parliament for the Parliamentary Borough of Reading over several periods between 1640 and 1660, and was also one of the signatories of King Charles I's death warrant.Daniel...
| Year | First member | First party | Second member | Second party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1660 | Thomas Rich Sir Thomas Rich, 1st Baronet Sir Thomas Rich was an English merchant and politician who sat in House of Commons in 1660. He established Sir Thomas Rich's School, a grammar school.... |
John Blagrave John Blagrave (died 1704) John Blagrave was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1660 and 1685.Blagrave was the son of Anthony Blagrave of Bulmershe Court at Earley in Berkshire and his wife Dorothy, daughter of Thomas Dolman of Shaw House in the same county. He was baptised in the parish... |
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| 1661 | Sir Thomas Dolman | Richard Aldworth | ||||
| 1679 | Nathan Knight | John Blagrave John Blagrave (died 1704) John Blagrave was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1660 and 1685.Blagrave was the son of Anthony Blagrave of Bulmershe Court at Earley in Berkshire and his wife Dorothy, daughter of Thomas Dolman of Shaw House in the same county. He was baptised in the parish... |
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| March 1685 | Thomas Coates | John Breedon | ||||
| November 1685 | William Aldworth | |||||
| 1689 | Sir Henry Fane Sir Henry Fane Sir Henry Fane KB, JP was the only son and heir of George Fane of Hatton Garden, by his wife Dorothy daughter and heir of James Horsey of Honnington, Warwickshire.... |
Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
Sir William Rich | |||
| 1698 | Sir Owen Buckingham | John Dalby | ||||
| January 1701 | Francis Knollys | |||||
| November 1701 | Anthony Blagrave | Tanfield Vachell Tanfield Vachell Tanfield Vachell was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1645 and 1653.Vachell was the son of John Vachell of Warfield and his wife Mary Vincent, daughter of Clement Vincent of Peckleton, Leicestershire. He was baptised Gayton, Northamptonshire on 27 December 1602... |
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| 1702 | Sir Owen Buckingham | |||||
| 1705 | Sir William Rich | |||||
| 1708 | Owen Buckingham | Anthony Blagrave | ||||
| 1710 | John Dalby | |||||
| 1713 | Robert Clarges | Felix Calvert | ||||
| 1716 | Charles Cadogan Charles Cadogan, 2nd Baron Cadogan General Charles Cadogan, 2nd Baron Cadogan was a British peer, soldier and Whig politician.Charles Cadogan was the younger son of Henry Cadogan and his wife, Bridget, the second daughter of Sir Hardress Waller... |
Owen Buckingham | ||||
| 1720 | Richard Thompson | |||||
| 1722 | Anthony Blagrave | Clement Kent | ||||
| 1727 | Richard Potenger | Richard Thompson | ||||
| 1734 | Henry Grey Henry Grey (MP) Henry Grey was a British politician, born Henry Neville.The younger son of Richard Neville of Billingbear House in Berkshire and Katherine Grey, daughter of Ralph Grey, 2nd Baron Grey of Werke, he changed his surname to Grey in 1707 to inherit the estates of his uncle Ralph Grey, 4th Baron Grey of... |
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| 1739 | John Blagrave | |||||
| 1740 | William Strode | |||||
| February 1741 | John Dodd John Dodd (Reading MP) John Dodd was an English Whig politician.John Dodd was educated at King's College, Cambridge. A close friend of Horace Walpole, he was Member of Parliament for Reading in Berkshire in 1741, and from 1755 to 1782. He lived at Swallowfield Park.- References :... |
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| May 1741 | William Strode | |||||
| 1747 | John Conyers | Richard Neville Aldworth | ||||
| 1754 | William Strode | The Viscount Fane Charles Fane, 2nd Viscount Fane Charles Fane, 2nd Viscount Fane was a landowner in Ireland and England, a Whig Member of Parliament and the British Resident in Florence.-Early life:... |
Opposition Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1755 | John Dodd John Dodd (Reading MP) John Dodd was an English Whig politician.John Dodd was educated at King's College, Cambridge. A close friend of Horace Walpole, he was Member of Parliament for Reading in Berkshire in 1741, and from 1755 to 1782. He lived at Swallowfield Park.- References :... |
Government Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1761 | Sir Francis Knollys | |||||
| 1768 | Henry Vansittart Henry Vansittart Henry Vansittart was the English Governor of Bengal from 1759 to 1764.Vansittart was born in Bloomsbury in Middlesex, the third son of Arthur van Sittart . His father and his grandfather, Peter van Sittart , were both wealthy merchants and directors of the Russia Company... |
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| 1774 | Francis Annesley | |||||
| 1782 | Richard Aldworth-Neville | |||||
| 1797 | John Simeon Sir John Simeon, 1st Baronet Sir John Simeon, 1st Baronet of Walliscot in Oxfordshire was Member of Parliament for Reading in Berkshire from 1797 to 1802 and from 1806 to 1818... |
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| 1802 | Charles Shaw-Lefevre | |||||
| 1806 | John Simeon Sir John Simeon, 1st Baronet Sir John Simeon, 1st Baronet of Walliscot in Oxfordshire was Member of Parliament for Reading in Berkshire from 1797 to 1802 and from 1806 to 1818... |
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| 1818 | Charles Fyshe Palmer | |||||
| 1820 | John Berkeley Monck | |||||
| 1826 | George Spence | |||||
| 1827 | Charles Fyshe Palmer | Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1830 | Charles Russell | Tory | ||||
| 1835 | Thomas Noon Talfourd Thomas Noon Talfourd Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd, SL , was an English judge and author.The son of a well-to-do brewer, he was born at Reading, Berkshire .... |
Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1837 | Charles Fyshe Palmer | Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1841 | Charles Russell | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
Viscount Chelsea | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1847 | Francis Pigott | Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
Thomas Noon Talfourd Thomas Noon Talfourd Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd, SL , was an English judge and author.The son of a well-to-do brewer, he was born at Reading, Berkshire .... |
Whig British Whig Party The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule... |
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| 1849 | John Frederick Stanford | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1852 | Sir Henry Singer Keating Henry Singer Keating Sir Henry Singer Keating was a British lawyer and politician.The son of Lieutenant General Sir Henry Sheehy Keating, he attended Trinity College, Dublin and became a barrister at the Inner Temple in 1832, and a Queen's Counsel in 1849... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| January 1860 | Sir Francis Goldsmid | Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| November 1860 | Gillery Pigott | Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1863 | George Shaw-Lefevre George Shaw-Lefevre, 1st Baron Eversley George John Shaw-Lefevre, 1st Baron Eversley PC, DL was a British Liberal Party politician. In a ministerial career that spanned thirty years, he was twice First Commissioner of Works and also served as Postmaster General and President of the Local Government Board.-Background and... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1878 | George Palmer George Palmer (businessman) George Palmer was a proprietor of the Huntley & Palmers biscuit manufacturers of Reading in England. He was born in Long Sutton in Somerset, the son of William Palmer and his wife, Mary, the daughter of William Isaac of Sturminster Newton in Dorset... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1885 United Kingdom general election, 1885 -Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:... |
Representation reduced to one member | |||||
1885–1950
| Election | Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 United Kingdom general election, 1885 -Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:... |
Charles Townshend Murdoch Charles Townshend Murdoch Charles Townshend Murdoch was a banker and Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1885 and 1898.... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1892 United Kingdom general election, 1892 The 1892 United Kingdom general election was held from 4 July to 26 July 1892. It saw the Conservatives, led by Lord Salisbury, win the greatest number of seats, but not enough for an overall majority as William Ewart Gladstone's Liberals won many more seats than in the 1886 general election... |
George William Palmer George William Palmer (England) George William Palmer was a member of the Palmer family, proprietors of the Huntley & Palmers biscuit manufacturers of Reading in England.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1895 United Kingdom general election, 1895 The United Kingdom general election of 1895 was held from 13 July - 7 August 1895. It was won by the Conservatives led by Lord Salisbury who formed an alliance with the Liberal Unionist Party and had a large majority over the Liberals, led by Lord Rosebery... |
Charles Townshend Murdoch Charles Townshend Murdoch Charles Townshend Murdoch was a banker and Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1885 and 1898.... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1898 by-election | George William Palmer George William Palmer (England) George William Palmer was a member of the Palmer family, proprietors of the Huntley & Palmers biscuit manufacturers of Reading in England.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1904 by-election | Rufus Isaacs Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading, GCB, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, PC, KC , was an English lawyer, jurist and politician... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1913 by-election | Leslie Orme Wilson Leslie Orme Wilson Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, DSO, PC was a British soldier, Conservative politician and Governor of Queensland.-Personal life:... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1922 United Kingdom general election, 1922 The United Kingdom general election of 1922 was held on 15 November 1922. It was the first election held after most of the Irish counties left the United Kingdom to form the Irish Free State, and was won by Andrew Bonar Law's Conservatives, who gained an overall majority over Labour, led by John... |
Edward Cecil George Cadogan | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1923 United Kingdom general election, 1923 -Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987*-External links:***... |
Somerville Hastings Somerville Hastings Somerville Hastings FRCS MP was a British surgeon and Labour Party politician.The son of the Reverend H G Hastings, he was born in Warminster, Wiltshire. He was educated at Wycliffe College , University College and the Middlesex Hospital, London... |
Labour Labour Party (UK) The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after... |
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| 1924 United Kingdom general election, 1924 - Seats summary :- References :* F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* - External links :* * *... |
Herbert Williams | Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1929 United Kingdom general election, 1929 -Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987*-External links:***... |
Somerville Hastings Somerville Hastings Somerville Hastings FRCS MP was a British surgeon and Labour Party politician.The son of the Reverend H G Hastings, he was born in Warminster, Wiltshire. He was educated at Wycliffe College , University College and the Middlesex Hospital, London... |
Labour Labour Party (UK) The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after... |
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| 1931 United Kingdom general election, 1931 The United Kingdom general election on Tuesday 27 October 1931 was the last in the United Kingdom not held on a Thursday. It was also the last election, and the only one under universal suffrage, where one party received an absolute majority of the votes cast.The 1931 general election was the... |
Alfred Bakewell Howitt Alfred Bakewell Howitt Sir Alfred Bakewell Howitt CVO was an English medical doctor who became a Conservative Party politician.Howitt was born in Nottingham, the youngest son of Dr Francis Howitt, a doctor from an old Quaker family whose relatives included the anthropologist Alfred William Howitt... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1945 United Kingdom general election, 1945 The United Kingdom general election of 1945 was a general election held on 5 July 1945, with polls in some constituencies delayed until 12 July and in Nelson and Colne until 19 July, due to local wakes weeks. The results were counted and declared on 26 July, due in part to the time it took to... |
Ian Mikardo Ian Mikardo Ian Mikardo , commonly known as Mik, was a British Labour and Co-operative politician. An ardent socialist and a Zionist, he remained a backbencher throughout his four decades in the House of Commons... |
Labour Labour Party (UK) The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after... |
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| 1950 United Kingdom general election, 1950 The 1950 United Kingdom general election was the first general election ever after a full term of a Labour government. Despite polling over one and a half million votes more than the Conservatives, the election, held on 23 February 1950 resulted in Labour receiving a slim majority of just five... |
Constituency divided into Reading North Reading North (UK Parliament constituency) Reading North was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election... and Reading South Reading South (UK Parliament constituency) Reading South was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election... |
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1955–1974
| Election | Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 United Kingdom general election, 1955 The 1955 United Kingdom general election was held on 26 May 1955, four years after the previous general election. It resulted in a substantially increased majority of 60 for the Conservative government under new leader and prime minister Sir Anthony Eden against Labour Party, now in their 20th year... |
Constituency recreated | ||
| 1955 United Kingdom general election, 1955 The 1955 United Kingdom general election was held on 26 May 1955, four years after the previous general election. It resulted in a substantially increased majority of 60 for the Conservative government under new leader and prime minister Sir Anthony Eden against Labour Party, now in their 20th year... |
Ian Mikardo Ian Mikardo Ian Mikardo , commonly known as Mik, was a British Labour and Co-operative politician. An ardent socialist and a Zionist, he remained a backbencher throughout his four decades in the House of Commons... |
Labour Labour Party (UK) The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after... |
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| 1959 United Kingdom general election, 1959 This United Kingdom general election was held on 8 October 1959. It marked a third successive victory for the ruling Conservative Party, led by Harold Macmillan... |
Peter Emery Peter Emery Sir Peter Frank Hannibal Emery was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom.Emery was born in London, but was evacuated to the United States during World War II. He was educated at Scotch Plains High School, New Jersey before serving with the Royal Air Force. He attended Oriel... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| 1966 United Kingdom general election, 1966 The 1966 United Kingdom general election on 31 March 1966 was called by sitting Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Wilson's decision to call an election turned on the fact that his government, elected a mere 17 months previously in 1964 had an unworkably small majority of only 4 MPs... |
John Lee John Michael Hubert Lee John Michael Hubert Lee is a retired Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom.Lee was educated at Reading School, Christ's College, Cambridge and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He became a barrister, called to the bar in 1960 at Middle Temple... |
Labour Labour Party (UK) The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after... |
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| 1970 United Kingdom general election, 1970 The United Kingdom general election of 1970 was held on 18 June 1970, and resulted in a surprise victory for the Conservative Party under leader Edward Heath, who defeated the Labour Party under Harold Wilson. The election also saw the Liberal Party and its new leader Jeremy Thorpe lose half their... |
Gerard Vaughan Gerard Folliott Vaughan Sir Gerard Folliot Vaughan was a psychiatrist and UK politician, who reached ministerial rank during the Thatcher administration... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
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| Feb 1974 United Kingdom general election, February 1974 The United Kingdom's general election of February 1974 was held on the 28th of that month. It was the first of two United Kingdom general elections held that year, and the first election since the Second World War not to produce an overall majority in the House of Commons for the winning party,... |
Constituency redivided into Reading North Reading North (UK Parliament constituency) Reading North was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election... and Reading South Reading South (UK Parliament constituency) Reading South was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election... |
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General
- Lewis Namier, The Structure of Politics at the Accession of George III (2nd edition - London: St Martin's Press, 1961)
- J Holladay Philbin, Parliamentary Representation 1832 - England and Wales (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1965)
- Edward Porritt and Annie G Porritt, The Unreformed House of Commons (Cambridge University Press, 1903)