Tag: Georgian Elections

portrait of a young man in 18th-century dress
Georgian Lords, 18th Century history, Constituencies, Elections, Factions, Frederick North, 2nd earl of Guilford, George III, Georgian, Local History, Parties, William Pitt the Younger

‘of all others most desirable’: Pitt the Younger and elections for Cambridge

From the onset of his lengthy political career, William Pitt the Younger had his eyes fixed on representing his alma mater, the University of Cambridge. Writing to his mother in July 1779, he observed that the University seat was ‘of all others most desirable, as being free from expense, perfectly independent, and I think in every respect extremely honourable’. In this latest guest post for … Continue reading ‘of all others most desirable’: Pitt the Younger and elections for Cambridge

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Georgian Elections Project, 18th Century history, Elections, Electoral Reform, Factions, Georgian, History of Parliament Trust, Parties

Breaking the Political Mould: a new 18th-century political party

With a multiple of parties vying for your vote in the 2024 General Election, the Whig and Tory monopoly of the 18th Century would have presented a much more limited choice for Georgian voters. However, in today’s blog for the Georgian elections project Dr Robin Eagles explores how one new party in particular threatened to upset the apple cart… Direct comparisons with today’s political parties … Continue reading Breaking the Political Mould: a new 18th-century political party

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Georgian Elections Project, 18th Century history, Elections, Georgian, History of Parliament Trust, Social history

‘Abuse and scurrility’? Press reporting of 18th-century elections

As newspapers and television broadcasts continue to be filled with daily news from the 2024 General Election, in today’s blog for the Georgian elections project Dr Robin Eagles turns his attention to the role of the press in 18th century election campaigns… Relations between Parliament and the press in the 18th-century were often strained. Strictly speaking, it was a breach of privilege for the details … Continue reading ‘Abuse and scurrility’? Press reporting of 18th-century elections

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Georgian Elections Project, 18th Century history, Elections, Georgian, Social history, Women and Parliament

Political Grandstanding in the 18th Century

In an age of social media and immediate news coverage, publicity opportunities have become a central part of political strategy- particularly in the run up to a General Election. But even in the 18th century politicians looked for ways to generate attention when on the campaign trail. Dr Robin Eagles, editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project, looks at some of these in the … Continue reading Political Grandstanding in the 18th Century

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Georgian Elections Project, Elections, George III, Georgian, Georgian Lords

Dissolving Parliament

Today, on 30 May 2024, Parliament will be formally dissolved following a ‘Dissolution proclamation’ from the King. This is the first time that this proclamation has been required since 201o, following the repeal of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act in 2011. But how was Parliament formally dissolved in the 18th century? In this blog, the first in our Georgian Elections series, Dr Robin Eagles from … Continue reading Dissolving Parliament

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