Political system in 1783 Flashcards
How many constituencies and boroughs?
There were 314 constituencies - 245 in England. These were divided into 40 county constituencies and 203 boroughs.
2/3 of MPs represented constituencies in the south of England.
Northern industrial towns had no representation. For example, in 1832 Manchester had a population of 1/4 of a million but no MP.
Voting qualifications: The County Franchise.
Each elector had to be a land owner/tenant of land worth 40 Shillings.
Voting qualifications: The Borough Franchise.
Open Boroughs: all males in constituency could vote.
Potwalloper Borough: All male householders and lodgers could vote - abolished in the Act of 1832.
Scot and Lot boroughs: here all male ratepayers could vote.
Burgage Boroughs: A man had to own a property to vote.
Freemen Boroughs: Had a restricted electorate because a man had to be made a freeman of the borough- London had 700 voters but Camelford had only 20.
Pocket/Nomination boroughs: Owned by great landowners who chose the MP. There were no elections at all.
Rotten/decayed boroughs: Ownership of the borough/part of it, gave the right to vote.
What were elections like?
Only 250,000 voters - corrupt as very small electorate.
Commoners were unaware of elections.
Monarch was able to overrule and election and chose an MP.
Hustings- candidates would speak to voters
Very little representation
Who were the Whigs?
Supported the disenfranchisement of Catholics.
Nicknamed from Non-conformity and rebellion.
Charles James Fox was the Party leader- disliked by the king in 1783.
Held political dominance since supporting the Glorious Revolution in 1689.
Held interests of gentry and merchant classes
Held interests of industrialists and philanthropic reformers.
Who were the Tories?
William Pitt was the party leader in 1783 - supported by the King as supported the hereditary right of the monarchy.
Favoured minor gentry and smallholders.
Conservative ideas with the beliefs that the existing system must be preserved.
Favoured imperial military spending.
Regained some political strength in 1784.
How did the Tories come into power?
In 1783 the Fox/North Coalition was in power.
George iii was determined to be rid of Fox so announced that he would count anyone who voted for Fox’s East India Bill in the HOL as enemies.
Gov was defeated in Dec 1783 was Pitt was appointed PM by George.
