1868

Citation

Cawood I (2024) 1868. In: Dale I (ed.) British General Election Campaigns 1830–2019: The 50 General Election Campaigns That Shaped Our Modern Politics. London: Biteback, pp. 97-105. https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/british-general-election-campaigns-1830-2019

Abstract
First paragraph: At first glance, the general election which took place in the United Kingdom between 17 November and 7 December 1868 seems insignificant compared to others. The election was still fought under the traditional public hustings model of nomination and election, which left employees, retailers and tenants open to intimidation, bribery and blackmail. On introducing the second franchise Reform Bill, which the Conservatives subsequently successfully navigated through Parliament despite being in a minority administration. Disraeli had promised to tackle this problem and just before Parliament was prorogued in July 1868, the Election Petitions and Corrupt Practices at Elections Act was passed. In the election which immediately followed, however, there was, if anything, more corruption than in 1865, with candidates spending, on average, between £1,000 and £3,000 in order to win a seat, and the results of twenty-two constituency elections were declared void on petition.

Keywords
British Political History; Gladstone Disraeli; Political Culture; Victorian Politics