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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14

Statistical Aspects of the General Elections of 1832 and 1868

Statistical Aspects of the General Elections of 1832 and 1868.

In view of the General Election results of 1885 and 1886 the following comparison of the elections which followed previous great measures of parliamentary reform may prove interesting.

The number of successful candidates for parliamentary honours in 1832 was 477 Liberals and 181 Conservatives, of whom 123 Liberals and 68 Conservatives were unopposed; 196 Liberals and 178 Conservatives were defeated. In 1868, 390 Liberals and 268 Conservatives were successful, of whom 121 Liberals and 89 Conservatives were unopposed; the number of unsuccessful candidates being 207 Liberals and 173 Conservatives. The Liberal majority in 1832 was 296; and in 1868, 122.

The number of registered electors was, in 1832, 814,990; and in 1868, 2,469,958.

The total number of votes recorded in 1832 was 824,950,—579,772 Liberal and 245,178 Conservative; and in 1868, 2,381,496, being 1,424,248 Liberal and 907,253 Conservative.

The percentage which the votes bear to the number of electors is, in 1832, 101-2,-—71.1 Liberal and 30.1 Conservative; and in 1868, 94.4,—57.7 Liberal and 36.7 Conservative.

The average population per member was, in 1882, 36,848, and in 1868, 48,502.

It is not possible to estimate the cost of the election of 1832, only the returning officers' expenses having been ascertained. In 1868 the cost was £1,382,118, of which £1,187,401 was paid in England and Wales.

In 1832, 3.4 per cent., and in 1868, 7.8 per cent. of the whole population were registered electors.

In 1868, 44 Liberal and 37 Conservative seats were won by majorities of less than one hundred votes.

It is worthy of especial attention that no less than 191 seats in 1832, and 210 in 1868 were uncontested