MPs for Yorkshire



This Foldout looks at the candidates and results for some early elections for the MP for Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Ridings

Under the Reform Act [1832], each of the 3 ridings returned 2 members of Parliament.

In 1861, the West Riding was divided into 2 divisions – North and South – each returning 2 MPs.

At the time, Brighouse was to be composed of

Wike [from the Birstall District], Hartshead and Clifton [from the Huddersfield] Hipperholme, Rastrick and Fixby [from the Halifax District]

In 1867, the West Riding was divided into 3 divisions – North, South and East – each returning 2 MPs.

In 1885, the North Division of the West Riding was divided into 5 constituencies – including the Sowerby Division – each returning 1 MP.

See Todmorden & Lancashire

1708

A contested election for the return to parliament of 2 members for Yorkshire The votes were

1734

A contested election for the return to parliament of 2 members for Yorkshire took place on 22nd May. The votes were

1741

Sir Miles Stapylton and Lord Viscount Morpeth were returned for Yorkshire without opposition. In consequence of the death of Lord Morpeth, a contested election took place in December 1741. The poll was open for 8 days. The votes were

1761/1768/1774

Sir George Savile and Edwin Lascelles were returned as members for Yorkshire without opposition.

They were also returned at the election of 1768 and 1774 without opposition

1784

On 1st January, Francis Ferrand Fuljambe was returned as member of Yorkshire in the place of Sir George Savile who had resigned. About a fortnight after the election, Sir George Savile died at his home in London.

A general election took place on 2nd April 1784. Francis Ferrand Fuljambe, William Weddal, Henry Duncombe, and William Wilberforce, were nominated for the county of York, but Fuljambe and Weddal declined the contest on the evening before the election

1796-1802

On 29th June 1796, William Wilberforce, and the Hon Henry Lascelles were returned for Yorkshire without opposition.

They were also returned at the general election of 1802

1807

On May 13th 1807, the court for the nomination of candidates for Yorkshire. was held in the Castle Yard at York. William Wilberforce, Lord Milton, the Hon Henry Lascelles [later the Earl of Harewood] and Walter Fawkes were nominated. This was the first contested election in Yorkshire for 66 years, and became one of the most celebrated contests in the history of electioneering, notably between Milton and Lascelles On the first day, Lascelles polled the greater number of votes. On the second day, Milton headed the poll. On the fifth day, Lascelles passed his opponent and kept the lead till the thirteenth day, at the close of which the numbers stood,

At the final close of the poll the numbers were

1812

William Wilberforce retired after having represented Yorkshire twenty-eight years. Stuart Wortley [later the first Lord Wharncliffe] offered himself, but withdrew.

Lord Milton and Henry Lascelles were returned members for Yorkshire without opposition

1818

On 25th June 1818, Lord Milton and the Hon J. A. Stuart Wortley were elected members of parliament for the county of York

1826

On June 21st 1826, four knights of the shire were elected at York, as members of parliament for Yorkshire

Richard Bethell was nominated but withdrew his name the day before the election. Although there was no contest, the expenses of the 4 candidates amounted to £150,000.

1830

The four first gentlemen were declared duly elected


See MPs for the West Riding



© Malcolm Bull 2021
Revised 15:13 / 15th May 2021 / 11355

Page Ref: MMM1812

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