Theme 2 - Changing Indfluences In Parliament Flashcards
1
Q
What is a pocket borough?
A
Constituency controlled by aristocrat - bribery rife and strong expectation to support the local aristocratic patron
2
Q
Examples of patronage and corruption:
A
- 1701 - 1831 29 general elections but no elections in boroughs in Cornwall - patron stood as mp or just selected someone
- Robert peel bought Tamworth estate in Staffordshire - secured his own place as MP and his sons
3
Q
People selling their own votes
A
People could sell their votes for up to £500 in todays money, meaning even if bribed by patronage the aristocrat still may not win as offered a better deal!
4
Q
Lord Penrhyns patronage
A
1830 election
£300,000 on bribing electorate in Liverpool
Still lost!
5
Q
Where else did the aristocracy excessive their power?
A
In the House of Lords:
Unelected still had a veto power (block bills from the HOC)
6
Q
How did the crown exercise influence in parliament in 1780
A
- selected government ministers
- after elections the monarch selects the prime minister from any party - not even the winning party
