Tag: Election

18th Century history, Elections, Reporting Parliament, History of Parliament Trust, Georgian Elections

‘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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18th Century history, Elections, Georgian Elections, History of Parliament Trust

The ups and downs of a London election: examining London’s poll books

As pollsters look for constituencies across the country to act as representatives of how the wider nation may vote in the upcoming election, in the 18th century you might have looked to the capital city. Here Dr Robin Eagles explores how the City of London voted in two key elections either side of George I’s accession to the throne, as part of our Georgian Elections … Continue reading The ups and downs of a London election: examining London’s poll books

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18th Century history, Elections, Georgian Elections, 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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15th Century History, Elections, Medieval history, The Commons in the Wars of the Roses

Parliamentary Elections in the Fifteenth Century

As the UK prepares to go to the polls for the 2024 General Election, modern politicians continue their campaigns across the nation, in an attempt to persuade electors to vote for them on July 4. However, for much of the middle ages, parliamentary elections saw no voting take place at all! Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our House of Commons 1461-1504 project, explains some of … Continue reading Parliamentary Elections in the Fifteenth Century

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18th Century history, Elections, Georgian Elections

Polling in advance of the votes

As the 2024 General Election campaigns continue this week, news outlets have been filled with many different polls, suggesting a variety of possible election outcomes. But did you know that polling ahead of an election also took place in the 18th century? Dr Robin Eagles from our Lords 1715-1790 project looks at some of the polling predictions for our Georgian Elections project… 18th-century elections were … Continue reading Polling in advance of the votes

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Elections, Georgian Elections, Georgian Lords, History of Parliament Trust

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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18th Century history, Elections, Georgian Lords, History of Parliament Trust

Benjamin Franklin and the state of Britain in the time of Wilkes

A new series exploring Benjamin Franklin’s time in Europe launches on streaming services this month, but how did the American ‘Founding Father’ respond to the politics in Britain during the 1760s? In this blog Dr Robin Eagles, editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 project, looks at Franklin’s opinion of the British political agitator John Wilkes- a man who divided not just his own nation… … Continue reading Benjamin Franklin and the state of Britain in the time of Wilkes

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