City of London (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1885–1950

City of London

Former borough constituency
for the House of Commons

City of London in the Metropolis, 1868-85

1298–1885
Seats| four
1885–1950
Seats| two
Replaced by| Cities of London and Westminster (to form north-eastern part of)

The City of London was a United Kingdom parliamentary constituency. It was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1950.

## Boundaries and boundary changes

[edit]

This borough constituency (or 'parliamentary borough/burgh') consisted of the City of London, which is at the very centre of Greater London. The only change by the Parliamentary Boundaries Act 1832 was to include The Temple.[1]

Bounded south by the Thames, the City adjoins Westminster westward, enfranchised in 1545.[2] In other directions a web of tiny liberties and parishes of diverse size adjoined from medieval times until the 20th century. Most of the population of Middlesex was beyond the city's boundaries. From the 17th century three of four new 'divisions' of Ossulstone Hundred adjoined the city reflecting their relative density – Holborn division and Finsbury division to the north and Tower division to the north-east and the east, all enfranchised in 1832.

London is first known to have been enfranchised and represented in Parliament in 1298. Because it was the most important city in England it received four seats in Parliament instead of the normal two for a constituency. Previous to 1298 from the middle of that century, the intermittent first parliaments, the area's households, officially, could turn to their Middlesex "two knights of the shire" – two members of the Commons – as to their interests in Parliament as the City formed part of the geographic county yet from early times wielded independent administration, its corporation.

The city was represented by four MPs until 1885, when this was cut to two, and in 1950 the constituency was abolished.

The City of London was originally a densely populated area. Before the Reform Act 1832 the composition of the City electorate was not as democratic as that of some other borough constituencies, such as neighbouring Westminster. The right of election was held by members of the Livery Companies. However the size and wealth of the community meant that it had more voters than most other borough constituencies. Namier and Brooke estimated the size of the City electorate, in the latter part of the 18th century, at about 7,000. Only Westminster had a larger size of electorate.

During the 19th and 20th centuries the metropolitan area of London expanded greatly. The resident population of the City fell. People moved to the new definitively urban expansion and suburbs; businesses moved in. However the City authorities did not want to extend their jurisdiction beyond the traditional "square mile" so the constituency was left unchanged as its resident population fell. By 1900 almost all electors in the City qualified through Livery Company membership and lived outside of the city. The business voters were a type of plural voter which when abolished by the Representation of the People Act 1948 meant the City became immediately under-sized in electorate, akin to the least-worst examples of pre-1832 "rotten and pocket boroughs".

In 1950 the area was merged for parliamentary purposes with the eldest parts of the neighbouring City of Westminster, to form the seat Cities of London and Westminster. The pre-1900 heavily subdivided city became simplified for the period 1907 and 1965 into one civil parish, before in that year this level of local government complication was taken away. Statutory protection applied between 1986 and 2011 to prevent division of the City between seats:

> There shall continue to be a constituency which shall include the whole of the City of London and the name of which shall refer to the City of London"

> — Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 Sch.2 Rule 3 (repealed, 2011)[3]

## Members of Parliament 1707–1950

[edit]

See City of London (elections to the Parliament of England) for citizens known to have represented the City in Parliament before 1707

### Parliaments of Great Britain 1707–1800

[edit]

From  | To  | Name  | Born  | Died

|
|
|
|

1707  | 1715  |  | Sir William Withers (T)  | c. 1654  | 31 January 1721
1708  | 1710  |  | John Ward (W)  | c. 1650  | 12 March 1726
1710  | 1715  |  | Sir Richard Hoare (T)  | 8 September 1649  | 6 January 1719
1710  | 1714  |  | Sir George Newland (T)  | c. 1646  | 26 March 1714
1710  | 1715  |  | Sir John Cass (T)  | 28 February 1661  | 5 July 1718
1715  | 1722  |  | Robert Heysham (W)  | 16 August 1663  | 25 February 1723
1715  | 1722  |  | Sir John Ward (W)  | c. 1650  | 12 March 1726
1715  | 1724  |  | Peter Godfrey (T)  | 1665  | 10 November 1724
1715  | 1722  |  | Sir Thomas Scawen (W)  | c. 1650  | 22 September 1730
1722  | 1727  |  | Richard Lockwood (T)  | 1676  | 30 August 1756
1722  | 1761  |  | Sir John Barnard (W)  | c. 1685  | 29 August 1764
1722  | 1727  |  | Francis Child (T)  | c. 1684  | 20 April 1740
1724  | 1727  |  | Sir Richard Hopkins | ...  | 2 January 1746
1727  | 1734  |  | Sir John Eyles, Bt (W)  | 1683  | 11 March 1745
1727  | 1741  |  | Micajah Perry (W)  | ...  | 22 January 1753
1727  | 1741  |  | Humphry Parsons (T)  | c. 1676  | 21 March 1741
1734  | 1741  |  | Robert Willimot (T)  | ...  | 19 December 1746
1741  | 1747  |  | George Heathcote (T)  | 7 December 1700  | 7 June 1768
1741  | 1747  |  | Sir Daniel Lambert (T)  | 7 September 1685  | 13 May 1750
1741  | 1742  |  | Sir Robert Godschall (T)  | c. 1692  | 26 June 1742
1742  | 1754  |  | Sir William Calvert (W)  | c. 1703  | 3 May 1761
1747  | 1758  |  | Slingsby Bethell (W)  | 16 March 1695  | 1 November 1758
1747  | 1754  |  | Stephen Janssen (W)  | ...  | 1777
1754  | 1773  |  | Sir Robert Ladbroke (T)  | c. 1713  | 31 October 1773
1754  | 1770  |  | William Beckford (T)  | 19 December 1709  | 21 June 1770
1758  | 1768  |  | Sir Richard Glyn (T)  | 13 June 1711  | 1 January 1773
1761  | 1774  |  | Hon. Thomas Harley (T)  | 24 August 1730  | 1 December 1804
1768  | 1774  |  | Barlow Trecothick (RW)  | c. 1718  | 28 May 1775
1770  | 1780  |  | Richard Oliver | 7 January 1735  | 16 April 1784
1773  | 1784  |  | Frederick Bull (R)  | c. 1714  | 10 January 1784
1774  | 1780  |  | John Sawbridge (R)  | 1732  | 21 February 1795
1774  | 1781  |  | George Hayley (R)  | ...  | 30 August 1781
1780  | 1780  |  | John Kirkman | 1741  | 19 September 1780
1780  | 1790  |  | Nathaniel Newnham | c. 1741  | 26 December 1809
1780  | 1795  |  | John Sawbridge | 1732  | 21 February 1795
1781  | 1796  |  | Sir Watkin Lewes | c. 1740  | 13 July 1821
1784  | 1793  |  | Brook Watson | 11 February 1735  | 2 October 1807
1790  | 1800  |  | Sir William Curtis | 25 January 1752  | 18 January 1829
1793  | 1800  |  | Sir John Anderson, Bt | c. 1735  | 21 May 1813
1795  | 1800  |  | William Lushington | 18 January 1747  | 11 September 1823
1796  | 1800  |  | Harvey Christian Combe | 1752  | 4 July 1818

Note:-

* (a) Expelled

### Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801

[edit]

#### MPs 1801–1885

[edit]

Election  | Member | Party  | Member | Party  | Member | Party  | Member | Party

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1801 |  | Sir William Curtis, Bt | Tory[4] |  | Sir John Anderson, Bt | Tory[4] |  | William Lushington | Non-partisan  |  | Harvey Christian Combe | Whig[4]
1802 |  | Sir Charles Price | Tory[4]
1806 |  | Sir James Shaw, Bt | Tory[4]
1812 |  | John Atkins | Tory[4]
1817 by-election |  | Sir Matthew Wood, Bt | Whig[4][5]
1818 |  | Thomas Wilson | Tory[4] |  | Robert Waithman | Whig[4][6] |  | John Thomas Thorp | Whig[4]
1820 |  | Sir William Curtis, Bt | Tory[4] |  | George Bridges | Tory[4]
1826 |  | William Thompson | Tory[4] |  | Robert Waithman | Whig, Liberal[4][6] |  | William Ward | Tory[4]
1831 |  | William Venables | Whig[4][7]
1832 |  | George Grote | Radical[4][8] |  | Sir John Key, Bt | Whig[4][9]
March 1833 by-election |  | George Lyall | Conservative[4][10]
August 1833 by-election |  | William Crawford | Whig[4][5][8]
1835 |  | James Pattison | Whig[4][5][11]
1841 |  | John Masterman | Conservative[4][10] |  | George Lyall | Conservative[4][10] |  | Lord John Russell | Whig[4][12]
1843 by-election |  | James Pattison | Whig[4][11]
1847 |  | Baron Lionel de Rothschild | Whig[12]
1849 by-election |  | Sir James Duke, Bt | Whig[13]
1857 |  | Robert Wigram Crawford | Whig[14][15]
1859 |  | Liberal |  | Liberal |  | Liberal |  | Liberal
1861 by-election |  | Western Wood | Liberal
1863 by-election |  | George Goschen | Liberal
1865 |  | William Lawrence | Liberal
1868 |  | Charles Bell | Conservative
1869 by-election |  | Baron Lionel de Rothschild | Liberal
1874 |  | William Cotton | Conservative |  | Philip Twells  | Conservative |  | John Hubbard | Conservative
1880 |  | Sir Robert Fowler, Bt | Conservative |  | William Lawrence | Liberal
1885 | reduced to two seats

#### MPs 1885–1950

[edit]

Election  | Member | Party  | Member | Party

|
|
|
|

1885 |  | John Hubbard | Conservative |  | Sir Robert Fowler, Bt  | Conservative
1887 by-election |  | Thomas Charles Baring | Conservative
Apr 1891 by-election |  | Hucks Gibbs | Conservative
Jun 1891 by-election |  | Sir Reginald Hanson, Bt | Conservative
1892 |  | Alban Gibbs | Conservative
1900 |  | Sir Joseph Dimsdale (C)  | Conservative
1906 |  | Sir Edward Clarke | Conservative
Feb 1906 by-election |  | Arthur Balfour | Conservative
Jun 1906 by-election |  | Sir Frederick Banbury, Bt | Conservative
1918 |  | Coalition Conservative |  | Coalition Conservative
1922 by-election |  | Edward Grenfell | Conservative
1922 |  | Conservative
1924 by-election |  | Sir Vansittart Bowater, Bt | Conservative
1935 by-election |  | Sir Alan Anderson | Conservative
1938 by-election |  | Sir George Broadbridge, Bt | Conservative
1940 by-election |  | Sir Andrew Duncan | National
1945 by-election |  | Ralph Assheton | Conservative
1950 | Constituency abolished

## Elections

[edit]

In multi-member elections the bloc voting system was used. Voters could cast a vote for one to four (or up to two in two-member elections 1885–1950) candidates, as they chose. The leading candidates with the largest number of votes were elected. In 1868 the limited vote was introduced, which restricted an individual elector to using one, two or three votes, in elections to fill four seats.

In by-elections, to fill a single-seat, the first past the post system applied.

After 1832, when registration of voters was introduced, a turnout figure is given for contested elections. In multi-member elections, when the exact number of participating voters is unknown, this is calculated by dividing the number of votes by four (to 1868), three (1868–1885) and two thereafter. To the extent that electors did not use all their votes this will be an underestimate of turnout.

Where a party had more than one candidate in one or both of a pair of successive elections change is calculated for each individual candidate, otherwise change is based on the party vote.

Candidates for whom no party has been identified are classified as non-partisan. The candidate might have been associated with a party or faction in Parliament or consider himself to belong to a particular political tradition. Political parties before the 19th century were not as cohesive or organised as they later became. Contemporary commentators (even the reputed leaders of parties or factions) in the 18th century did not necessarily agree who the party supporters were. The traditional parties, which had arisen in the late 17th century, became increasingly irrelevant to politics in the 18th century (particularly after 1760), although for some contests in some constituencies party labels were still used. It was only towards the end of the century that party labels began to acquire some meaning again, although this process was by no means complete for several more generations.

Sources: The results are based on the History of Parliament Trust's volumes on the House of Commons in various periods from 1715 to 1820, Stooks Smith from 1820 until 1832 and Craig from 1832. Where Stooks Smith gives additional information this is indicated in a note. See references below for further details of these sources.

Dates of general and by-elections from 1660 to 1715 (excluding general elections at which no new MP was returned)

* 27 Mar 1660
* 19 Mar 1661
* 10 Feb 1663
* 17 Feb 1679
* 15 May 1685
* 9 Jan 1689
* 14 May 1689
* 11 Mar 1690
* 2 Mar 1693
* 25 Oct 1695

* 30 Jul 1698
* 1 Feb 1701
* 20 Mar 1701
* 24 Nov 1701
* 18 Aug 1702
* 17 May 1705
* 16 Dec 1707
* 14 May 1708
* 16 Nov 1710

|

## Parliament of Great Britain election results 1713–1800

[edit]

1710s –

1720s – 1730s – 1740s – 1750s – 1760s – 1770s – 1780s – 1790s

### Elections in the 1710s

[edit]

General election 1713: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Richard Hoare | 3,842  | 12.84  | N/A
| Tory | George Newland | 3,826  | 12.78  | N/A
| Tory | John Cass | 3,802  | 12.70  | N/A
| Tory | William Withers | 3,763  | 12.57  | N/A
| Whig | John Ward | 3,730  | 12.46  | N/A
| Whig | Robert Heysham | 3,688  | 12.32  | N/A
| Whig | Peter Godfrey | 3,657  | 12.22  | N/A
| Whig | Thomas Scawen | 3,625  | 12.11  | N/A

* 6,787 voted. The losing candidates demanded a scrutiny, which did not change the result. (Source: Copy of the pollbook)

General election 29 January 1715: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Robert Heysham | 3,499  | 13.86  | N/A
| Whig | John Ward | 3,475  | 13.76  | N/A
| Tory | Peter Godfrey | 3,471  | 13.75  | N/A
| Whig | Thomas Scawen | 3,439  | 13.62  | N/A
| Tory | John Cass | 2,884  | 11.42  | N/A
| Tory | William Withers | 2,879  | 11.40  | N/A
| Tory | William Stewart | 2,828  | 11.20  | N/A
| Tory | George Mertinns | 2,774  | 10.99  | N/A

### Elections in the 1720s

[edit]

General election 9 May 1722: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Richard Lockwood | 4,235  | 18.40  | +18.40
| Whig | John Barnard | 3,980  | 17.29  | +17.29
| Tory | Peter Godfrey | 3,852  | 16.74  | +2.99
| Tory | Francis Child | 3,784  | 16.44  | +16.44
| Tory | Humphrey Parsons | 3,593  | 15.61  | +15.61
| Whig | Robert Heysham | 3,573  | 15.52  | +1.66

* After a scrutiny the members returned were unchanged and vote totals were amended to Lockwood 4,025; Barnard 3,840; Godfrey 3,723; Child 3,575; Heysham 3,441; Parsons 3,393.
* Death of Godfrey 10 November 1724

By-Election 11 December 1724: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Richard Hopkins | 3,332  | 53.37  | +53.37
| Nonpartisan | Charles Goodfellow | 2,911  | 46.63  | +46.63
Majority | 421  | 6.74  | N/A
| Nonpartisan gain from Tory | Swing | N/A |
General election 24 November 1727: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Eyles | 3,643  | 13.71  | +13.71
| Whig | John Barnard | 3,620  | 13.62  | −3.67
| Whig | Micajah Perry | 3,494  | 13.15  | +13.15
| Tory | Humphry Parsons | 3,370  | 12.68  | −2.93
| Nonpartisan | John Thompson | 3,340  | 12.57  | +12.57
| Tory | Richard Lockwood | 3,086  | 11.61  | −6.79
| Nonpartisan | John Williams | 3,017  | 11.35  | +11.35
| Nonpartisan | Richard Hopkins | 3,010  | 11.32  | +11.32

* After a scrutiny the members returned were unchanged and vote totals were amended to Eyles 3,539; Barnard 3,514; Perry 3,396; Parsons 3,255; Thompson 3,244; Lockwood 2,977; Hopkins 2,921; Williams 2,914.

### Elections in the 1730s

[edit]

General election 10 May 1734: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Humphrey Parsons | 3,932 | 21.92 | +9.24
| Whig | John Barnard | 3,841 | 21.41 | +7.79
| Whig | Micajah Perry | 3,725 | 20.76 | +7.61
| Tory | Robert Willimot | 2,984 | 16.63 | +16.63
| Tory | John Barber | 2,381  | 13.27  | +13.27
| Tory | Robert Godschall | 1,078  | 6.01  | +6.01

* Note (1734): Poll 7 days (Source: Stooks Smith)

### Elections in the 1740s

[edit]

General election 13 May 1741: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Barnard | 3,769  | 21.35  | −0.06
| Tory | George Heathcote | 3,322  | 18.82  | +18.82
| Tory | Daniel Lambert  | 3,217  | 18.23  | +18.23
| Tory | Robert Godschall  | 3,143  | 17.81  | +11.80
| Whig | Micajah Perry | 1,713  | 9.71  | −11.05
| Nonpartisan | Edward Bellamy | 1,312  | 7.43  | +7.43
| Nonpartisan | Edward Vernon | 1,175  | 6.66  | +6.66

* Note (1741): Poll 7 days (Source: Stooks Smith)
* Death of Godschall 26 June 1742

By-Election 13 July 1742: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | William Calvert | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Whig gain from Tory | Swing | N/A |
General election 10 July 1747: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | William Calvert | 3,806  | 20.85  | +20.85
| Whig | John Barnard | 3,781  | 20.71  | −0.64
| Whig | Slingsby Bethell | 3,146  | 17.23  | +17.23
| Whig | Stephen Janssen | 3,008  | 16.48  | +16.48
| Tory | Daniel Lambert | 2,530  | 13.86  | −4.37
| Tory | Robert Ladbroke | 1,986  | 10.88  | +10.88

### Elections in the 1750s

[edit]

General election 7 May 1754: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Barnard | 3,553  | 18.96  | −1.75
| Whig | Slingsby Bethell | 3,547  | 18.93  | +1.70
| Tory | Robert Ladbroke | 3,390  | 18.09  | +7.21
| Tory | William Beckford | 2,941  | 15.70  | +15.70
| Tory | Richard Glyn | 2,655  | 14.17  | +14.17
| Whig | William Calvert | 2,650  | 14.14  | −6.71

* Note (1754): Poll 7 days, 5,931 voted (Source: Stooks Smith)
* Death of Bethell 1 November 1758

By-Election 30 November 1758: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Richard Glyn | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Tory gain from Whig | Swing | N/A |

### Elections in the 1760s

[edit]

General election 4 April 1761: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Robert Ladbroke | 4,306  | 23.36  | +5.27
| Tory | Thomas Harley | 3,983  | 21.61  | +21.61
| Tory | William Beckford | 3,663  | 19.87  | +4.17
| Tory | Richard Glyn | 3,285  | 17.83  | +3.66
| Whig | Samuel Fludyer | 3,193  | 17.32  | +17.32

* Note (1761): Poll 7 days (Source: Stooks Smith)

General election 25 March 1768: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Pro-Government  | Thomas Harley | 3,729 | 19.02 | −2.59
| Independent Opposition  | Robert Ladbroke | 3,678 | 18.76 | −4.60
| Nonpartisan | William Beckford | 3,402 | 17.35 | −2.52
| Rockingham Whigs | Barlow Trecothick | 2,957 | 15.08 | +15.08
| Nonpartisan | Richard Glyn | 2,823  | 14.40  | −3.43
| Nonpartisan | John Paterson | 1,769  | 9.02  | +9.02
| Radical | John Wilkes | 1,247  | 6.36  | +6.36

### Elections in the 1770s

[edit]

* Death of Beckford 21 June 1770

By-Election 11 July 1770: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Radical | Richard Oliver | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

* Death of Ladbroke 31 October 1773

By-Election 23 December 1773: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Radical | Frederick Bull | 2,695  | 52.07  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | John Roberts | 2,481  | 47.93  | N/A
Majority | 214  | 4.14  | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 18 October 1774: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Radical | John Sawbridge | 3,456  | 17.8  | N/A
| Radical | George Hayley | 3,390  | 17.5  | N/A
| Independent Radical/Opposition | Richard Oliver | 3,354  | 17.3  | New
| Radical | Frederick Bull | 3,096  | 15.9  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | William Baker | 2,802  | 14.4  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Brass Crosby | 1,913  | 9.9  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | John Roberts | 1,398  | 7.2  | N/A

### Elections in the 1780s

[edit]

General election 19 September 1780: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | George Hayley | 4,062  | 21.63  | +4.16
| Nonpartisan | John Kirkman | 3,804  | 20.26  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Frederick Bull | 3,150  | 16.77  | +0.83
| Nonpartisan | Nathaniel Newnham | 3,036  | 16.17  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | John Sawbridge | 2,957  | 15.75  | −2.06
| Nonpartisan | Richard Clarke | 1,771  | 9.43  | N/A

* Death of Kirkman 19 September 1780

By-Election 28 November 1780: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | John Sawbridge | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

* Death of Hayley 30 August 1781

By-Election 2 October 1781: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Watkin Lewes | 2,685  | 53.05  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Richard Clarke | 2,387  | 46.95  | +37.50
Majority | 309  | 6.10  | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

* Death of Bull 10 January 1784

By-Election 26 January 1784: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Brook Watson | 2,097  | 66.78  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Brass Crosby | 1,043  | 33.22  | N/A
Majority | 1,054  | 33.56  | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

* Note (1784 be): Poll 3 days (Source: Stooks Smith)

General election 7 May 1784: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | Brook Watson | 4,776  | 24.19  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Watkin Lewes | 4,541  | 23.00  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Nathaniel Newnham | 4,467  | 22.56  | +6.49
| Nonpartisan | John Sawbridge | 2,812  | 14.24  | −1.51
| Nonpartisan | Richard Atkinson | 2,803  | 14.20  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | Samuel Smith | 286  | 1.50  | N/A
| Nonpartisan | William Pitt | 56  | 0.31  | N/A

* Note (1784): Poll 7 days. Mr Pitt was returned on the show of hands, but retired before the poll. (Source: Stooks Smith)

### Elections in the 1790s

[edit]

General election 26 June 1790: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | William Curtis | 4,346  | 22.16  | +22.16
| Nonpartisan | Brook Watson | 4,101  | 20.91  | −3.28
| Nonpartisan | Watkin Lewes | 3,747  | 19.10  | −3.90
| Nonpartisan | John Sawbridge | 3,686  | 18.79  | +4.55
| Nonpartisan | Nathaniel Newnham | 2,670  | 13.61  | −9.02
| Nonpartisan | William Pickett | 1,064  | 5.42  | +5.42

* Note (1790): Poll 7 days (Source: Stooks Smith)
* Appointment of Watson as Commissary General

By-Election 6 March 1793: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | John Anderson | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

* Note (1793): Mr Newnham was a candidate, but declined to go to the poll. (Source: Stooks Smith)
* Death of Sawbridge 21 February 1795

By-Election 12 March 1795: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | William Lushington | 2,334  | 59.94  | +59.94
| Nonpartisan | Harvey Christian Combe | 1,560  | 40.06  | +40.06
Majority | 774  | 19.88  | N/A
| Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A |

* Note (1795): Poll 3 days (Source: Stooks Smith)

General election 2 June 1796: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Nonpartisan | William Lushington | 4,379  | 20.97  | +20.97
| Nonpartisan | William Curtis | 4,313  | 20.66  | −1.50
| Nonpartisan | Harvey Christian Combe | 3,865  | 18.51  | +18.51
| Nonpartisan | John Anderson | 3,170  | 15.18  | +15.18
| Nonpartisan | William Pickett | 2,795  | 13.39  | +7.97
| Nonpartisan | Watkin Lewes | 2,356  | 11.28  | −7.82

* Note (1796): Poll 7 days (Source: Stooks Smith)

## Parliament of the United Kingdom election results (4 seats) 1801–1885

[edit]

1800s –

1810s – 1820s – 1830s – 1840s – 1850s – 1860s – 1870s – 1880s

### Elections in the 1800s

[edit]

General election 6 July 1802: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Harvey Christian Combe | 3,377  | 23.91  | +5.40
| Tory | Charles Price | 3,236  | 22.91  | +22.91
| Tory | William Curtis | 2,989  | 21.16  | +0.50
| Tory | John Anderson | 2,387  | 16.90  | +1.72
| Whig | Benjamin Travers | 1,371  | 9.71  | +9.71
| Nonpartisan | Watkin Lewes | 652  | 4.62  | −6.66
| Nonpartisan | William Lushington  | 113  | 0.80  | −20.17

* Note (1802): Poll 7 days (Source: Stooks Smith)

General election 31 October 1806: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Harvey Christian Combe | 2,294  | 24.11  | +0.20
| Tory | James Shaw | 2,275  | 23.91  | +23.91
| Tory | Charles Price | 2,254  | 23.69  | +0.78
| Tory | William Curtis | 2,213  | 23.26  | +2.10
| Tory | John Atkins | 314  | 3.30  | +3.30
| Whig | John Hankey  | 164  | 1.72  | +1.72

* Note (1806): Poll 3 days (Source: Stooks Smith)

General election 1807: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | Charles Price | 3,117  | 26.30  | +2.61
| Tory | William Curtis | 3,059  | 25.81  | +2.55
| Tory | James Shaw | 2,863  | 24.15  | +0.24
| Whig | Harvey Christian Combe | 2,588  | 21.83  | −2.28
| Whig | John Hankey  | 226  | 1.91  | +0.19

* Note (1807): Mr Hankey died on the afternoon of the first day's polling. All the candidates voted for him. (Source: Stooks Smith)

### Elections in the 1810s

[edit]

General election 5 October 1812: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Harvey Christian Combe | 5,125  | 22.85  | +1.02
| Tory | William Curtis | 4,577  | 20.40  | −5.41
| Tory | James Shaw | 4,082  | 18.20  | −5.95
| Tory | John Atkins | 3,645  | 16.25  | +16.25
| Whig | Robert Waithman | 2,622  | 11.69  | +11.69
| Whig | Matthew Wood | 2,373  | 10.58  | +10.58
| Nonpartisan | Claudius Hunter | 8  | 0.04  | +0.04

* Note (1812): Mr Hunter, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, retired before the poll. (Source: Stooks Smith)
* Resignation of Combe

By-Election 10 June 1817: City of London  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Matthew Wood | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Whig hold
General election 16 June 1818: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Matthew Wood | 5,700  | 22.38  | +11.80
| Tory | Thomas Wilson | 4,829  | 18.96  | +18.96
| Whig | Robert Waithman | 4,693  | 18.43  | +6.74
| Whig | John Thorp  | 4,335  | 17.02  | +17.02
| Tory | William Curtis | 4,224  | 16.58  | −3.82
| Tory | John Atkins | 1,688  | 6.63  | −9.62

* Note (1818): Poll 7 days, 7,978 voted. (Source: Stooks Smith)

### Elections in the 1820s

[edit]

General election 7 March 1820: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Matthew Wood | 5,370  | 19.22  | −3.16
| Tory | Thomas Wilson | 5,358  | 19.18  | +0.22
| Tory | William Curtis | 4,908  | 17.57  | +0.99
| Tory | George Bridges | 4,259  | 15.25  | +15.25
| Whig | Robert Waithman | 4,119  | 14.74  | −3.69
| Whig | John Thorp  | 3,921  | 14.04  | −2.98

* Note (1820): Poll 7 days (Source: Stooks Smith)

General election 9 June 1826: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | William Thompson | 6,483  | 24.71  | +24.71
| Whig | Robert Waithman | 5,042  | 19.21  | +4.47
| Tory | William Ward | 4,991  | 19.02  | +19.02
| Whig | Matthew Wood | 4,880  | 18.60  | −0.62
| Whig | William Venables  | 4,514  | 17.20  | +17.20
| Whig | Alderman Garrett  | 330  | 1.26  | +1.26

* Note (1826): Poll 7 days. 8,639 voted. Alderman Garrett was proposed without his consent. (Source: Stooks Smith)

### Elections in the 1830s

[edit]

General election 1830: City of London (4 seats)[4] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | William Thompson | Unopposed
| Whig | Robert Waithman | Unopposed
| Tory | William Ward | Unopposed
| Whig | Matthew Wood | Unopposed
| Tory hold
| Whig hold
| Tory hold
| Whig hold
General election 29 April 1831: City of London (4 seats)[4] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | William Thompson | Unopposed
| Whig | Robert Waithman | Unopposed
| Whig | Matthew Wood | Unopposed
| Whig | William Venables | Unopposed
| Tory hold
| Whig hold
| Whig hold
| Whig gain from Tory
General election 12 December 1832: City of London (4 seats)[4] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Radical | George Grote | 8,412  | 23.9  | N/A
| Whig | Matthew Wood | 7,488  | 21.3  | N/A
| Whig | Robert Waithman | 7,452  | 21.2  | N/A
| Whig | John Key | 6,136  | 17.4  | N/A
| Tory | George Lyall | 5,112  | 14.5  | N/A
| Radical | Michael Scales (politician)  | 569  | 1.6  | N/A
Turnout | 11,500  | 61.9  | N/A
Registered electors | 18,584  |  |
Majority | 3,300  | 9.4  | N/A
| Radical gain from Tory | Swing | N/A |
Majority | 1,024  | 2.9  | N/A
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |

* Death of Waithman 6 February 1833

By-election, 27 February 1833: City of London[4] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | George Lyall | 5,569  | 55.2  | +40.7
| Whig | William Venables  | 4,527  | 44.8  | −15.1
Majority | 1,042  | 10.4  | N/A
Turnout | 10,096  | 54.3  | −7.6
Registered electors | 18,584  |  |
| Tory gain from Whig | Swing | +27.9  |

* Resignation of Key by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds

By-election, 12 August 1833: City of London[4] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | William Crawford | 4,041  | 66.8  | +6.9
| Tory | Francis Kemble  | 2,004  | 33.2  | +18.7
Majority | 2,037  | 33.6  | +30.7
Turnout | 6,045  | 32.5  | −29.4
Registered electors | 18,584  |  |
| Whig hold | Swing | −5.9  |
General election 5 January 1835: City of London (4 seats)[4] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Matthew Wood | 6,418  | 16.9  | −4.4
| Whig | James Pattison | 6,050  | 15.9  | −5.3
| Whig | William Crawford | 5,961  | 15.7  | −1.7
| Radical | George Grote | 5,955  | 15.6  | −8.3
| Conservative | George Lyall | 4,599  | 12.1  | +7.3
| Conservative | William Ward | 4,560  | 12.0  | +7.2
| Conservative | Thomas Wilson | 4,514  | 11.9  | +7.1
Turnout | 11,456  | 62.6  | −0.7
Registered electors | 18,288  |  |
Majority | 6  | 0.1  | −2.8
| Whig hold | Swing | −4.9  |
| Whig hold | Swing | −5.4  |
| Whig hold | Swing | −3.6  |
Majority | 1,356  | 3.5  | +0.9
| Radical hold | Swing | −6.9  |
General election 1837: City of London (4 seats)[4] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Matthew Wood | 6,517  | 21.4  | +4.5
| Whig | William Crawford | 6,071  | 20.0  | +4.3
| Whig | James Pattison | 6,070  | 20.0  | +4.1
| Radical | George Grote | 5,879  | 19.3  | +3.7
| Conservative | John Hinde Palmer | 5,873  | 19.3  | −16.7
Turnout | 11,932  | 60.6  | −2.0
Registered electors | 19,678  |  |
Majority | 191  | 0.7  | +0.6
| Whig hold | Swing | +4.3  |
| Whig hold | Swing | +4.2  |
| Whig hold | Swing | +4.1  |
Majority | 6  | 0.0  | −3.5
| Radical hold | Swing | +3.9  |

### Elections in the 1840s

[edit]

General election 28 June 1841: City of London (4 seats)[4][10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Masterman | 6,339  | 12.8  | +8.0
| Whig | Matthew Wood | 6,315  | 12.8  | −8.6
| Conservative | George Lyall | 6,290  | 12.7  | +7.9
| Whig | John Russell | 6,221  | 12.6  | N/A
| Conservative | Matthias Wolverley Attwood | 6,212  | 12.5  | +7.7
| Whig | James Pattison | 6,070  | 12.3  | −7.7
| Whig | William Crawford | 6,065  | 12.2  | −7.8
| Conservative | John Pirie | 6,017  | 12.1  | +7.3
Turnout | 12,383 (est)  | 64.9 (est)  | +4.3
Registered electors | 19,068  |  |
Majority | 269  | 0.5  | N/A
| Conservative gain from Radical | Swing | N/A |
Majority | 25  | 0.0  | −0.7
| Whig hold | Swing | −8.2  |
Majority | 225  | 0.5  | N/A
| Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +8.0  |
Majority | 9  | 0.1  | −0.6
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |

* Death of Wood 25 September 1843

By-election, 20 October 1843: City of London[4][10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | James Pattison | 6,532  | 50.6  | +0.7
| Conservative | Thomas Charles Baring | 6,367  | 49.4  | −0.7
Majority | 165  | 1.2  | +1.2
Turnout | 12,899  | 64.4  | −0.5
Registered electors | 20,030  |  |
| Whig hold | Swing | +0.7  |

* Appointment of Russell as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury

By-election, 8 July 1846: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Russell | Unopposed
| Whig hold
General election 28 July 1847: City of London (4 seats)[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Russell | 7,137  | 14.3  | +1.7
| Whig | James Pattison | 7,030  | 14.1  | +1.8
| Whig | Lionel de Rothschild | 6,792  | 13.6  | +0.8
| Conservative | John Masterman | 6,722  | 13.5  | +0.7
| Whig | George Larpent[16] | 6,719  | 13.5  | +1.3
| Conservative | Robert Cooper Lee Bevan[17] | 5,268  | 10.5  | −2.2
| Conservative | John Johnson (London candidate)  | 5,069  | 10.1  | −2.4
| Conservative | James William Freshfield | 4,704  | 9.4  | −2.7
| Radical | William Payne[18] | 513  | 1.0  | New
Turnout | 13,437  | 67.0  | +2.1
Registered electors | 20,057  |  |
Majority | 70  | 0.1  | +0.1
| Whig hold | Swing | +1.7  |
| Whig hold | Swing | +1.7  |
| Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +1.2  |
Majority | 3  | 0.0  | —
| Conservative hold | Swing | −0.4  |

* Note (1847): De Rothschild and Payne were classified as Reformer candidates. (Source: Stooks Smith)
* Resignation of de Rothschild to seek re-election after rejection of the Jewish Disabilities Bill

By-election, 4 July 1849: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Lionel de Rothschild | 6,017  | 68.1  | +12.6
| Conservative | John Manners | 2,814  | 31.9  | −11.6
Majority | 3,203  | 36.2  | +36.1
Turnout | 8,831  | 41.5  | −25.5
Registered electors | 21,270  |  |
| Whig hold | Swing | +12.1  |

* Note (1849): De Rothschild was classified as a Reformer candidate. (Source: Stooks Smith)
* Death of Pattison June 1849

By-election, 27 July 1849: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | James Duke | Unopposed
| Whig hold

### Elections in the 1850s

[edit]

General election 1852: City of London (4 seats)[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Masterman | 6,195  | 24.3  | −19.2
| Whig | John Russell | 5,537  | 21.7  | +7.4
| Whig | James Duke | 5,270  | 20.7  | +6.6
| Whig | Lionel de Rothschild | 4,748  | 18.6  | +5.0
| Whig | Robert Wigram Crawford | 3,765  | 14.8  | +1.3
Majority | 658  | 2.6  | +2.6
Turnout | 11,025 (est)  | 53.2 (est)  | −13.8
Registered electors | 20,728  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −19.8  |
| Whig hold | Swing | +6.1  |
| Whig hold | Swing | +5.7  |
| Whig hold | Swing | +4.9  |

* Appointment of Russell as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

By-Election 3 January 1853: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Russell | Unopposed
| Whig hold

* Appointment of Russell as Lord President of the Council

By-Election 14 June 1854: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Russell | Unopposed
| Whig hold

* Appointment of Russell as Secretary of State for the Colonies

By-Election 3 March 1855: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Russell | Unopposed
| Whig hold
General election 27 March 1857: City of London (4 seats)[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | James Duke | 6,664  | 22.4  | +1.7
| Whig | Lionel de Rothschild | 6,398  | 21.5  | +2.9
| Whig | John Russell | 6,308  | 21.2  | −0.5
| Whig | Robert Wigram Crawford | 5,808  | 19.6  | +4.8
| Whig | Raikes Currie | 4,519  | 15.2  | N/A
Majority | 1,289  | 4.4  | N/A
Turnout | 7,424 (est)  | 38.8 (est)  | −14.4
Registered electors | 19,115  |  |
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |
| Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | N/A |

* Resignation of de Rothschild to seek re-election after rejection of the Jewish Disabilities Bill

By-Election 28 July 1857: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Lionel de Rothschild | Unopposed
| Whig hold
General election 1859: City of London (4 seats)[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | James Duke | Unopposed
| Liberal | Lionel de Rothschild | Unopposed
| Liberal | John Russell | Unopposed
| Liberal | Robert Wigram Crawford | Unopposed
Registered electors | 19,026  |  |
| Liberal hold
| Liberal hold
| Liberal hold
| Liberal hold

* Appointment of Russell as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

By-Election 27 June 1859: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | John Russell | Unopposed
| Liberal hold

### Elections in the 1860s

[edit]

* Creation of Russell as the 1st Earl Russell

By-election, 29 July 1861: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Western Wood | 5,747  | 52.3  | N/A
| Conservative | William Cubitt | 5,241  | 47.7  | New
Majority | 506  | 4.6  | N/A
Turnout | 10,988  | 59.2  | N/A
Registered electors | 18,562  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | N/A |

* Death of Wood 17 May 1863

By-election, 2 June 1863: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | George Goschen | Unopposed
| Liberal hold
General election 10 July 1865: City of London (4 seats)[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | George Goschen | 7,102  | 19.9  | N/A
| Liberal | Robert Wigram Crawford | 7,086  | 19.9  | N/A
| Liberal | William Lawrence | 6,637  | 18.6  | N/A
| Liberal | Lionel de Rothschild | 6,525  | 18.3  | N/A
| Conservative | George Lyall | 4,197  | 11.8  | N/A
| Conservative | Robert Fowler | 4,086  | 11.5  | N/A
Majority | 2,328  | 6.5  | N/A
Turnout | 10,529 (est)  | 67.8 (est)  | N/A
Registered electors | 15,534  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | N/A |
| Liberal hold | Swing | N/A |
| Liberal hold | Swing | N/A |
| Liberal hold | Swing | N/A |

* Appointment of Goschen as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

By-election, 26 February 1866: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | George Goschen | Unopposed
| Liberal hold

In 1868 the limited vote was introduced, which restricted an individual elector to using one, two or three votes, in elections of the City of London's four MPs.

General election 16 November 1868: City of London (4 seats)[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | George Goschen | 6,520  | 15.1  | −4.8
| Liberal | Robert Wigram Crawford | 6,258  | 14.5  | −5.4
| Liberal | William Lawrence | 6,215  | 14.4  | −4.2
| Conservative | Charles Bell | 6,130  | 14.2  | +2.4
| Conservative | Philip Twells | 6,099  | 14.1  | +2.6
| Conservative | Sills John Gibbons | 6,013  | 13.9  | N/A
| Liberal | Lionel de Rothschild | 5,995  | 13.9  | −4.4
Turnout | 12,328 (est)  | 61.1 (est)  | −6.7
Registered electors | 20,185  |  |
Majority | 85  | 0.2  | −6.3
| Liberal hold | Swing | −3.7  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −4.0  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −4.6  |
Majority | 135  | 0.3  | N/A
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +2.5  |

* Note (1868): Craig refers to R.N. de Rothschild, but Stenton confirms the candidate was L.N. de Rothschild
* Appointment of Goschen as President of the Poor Law Board

By-election, 21 December 1868: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | George Goschen | Unopposed
| Liberal hold

* Death of Bell 9 February 1869

By-election, 22 February 1869: City of London[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Lionel de Rothschild | Unopposed
| Liberal gain from Conservative

### Elections in the 1870s

[edit]

The limited vote was in use, which restricted an individual elector to using one, two or three votes, in elections of the City of London's four MPs.

General election 10 February 1874: City of London (4 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | William Cotton | 8,397  | 18.7  | +4.5
| Conservative | Philip Twells | 8,330  | 18.6  | +4.5
| Conservative | John Hubbard | 8,210  | 18.3  | +4.4
| Liberal | George Goschen | 6,787  | 15.1  | 0.0
| Liberal | William Lawrence | 6,654  | 14.8  | +0.4
| Liberal | Lionel de Rothschild | 6,490  | 14.5  | +0.6
Majority | 1,423  | 3.2  | +2.9
Turnout | 14,956 (est)  | 66.1 (est)  | +5.0
Registered electors | 22,626  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.1  |
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +2.1  |
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +2.0  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −2.2  |

*   * Note (1874): Craig refers to R.N. de Rothschild, but Stenton confirms the candidate was L.N. de Rothschild

### Elections in the 1880s

[edit]

General election 3 April 1880: City of London (4 seats)[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | William Cotton | 10,326  | 21.3  | +2.6
| Conservative | Robert Fowler | 10,274  | 21.2  | +2.6
| Conservative | John Hubbard | 10,256  | 21.2  | +2.9
| Liberal | William Lawrence | 5,950  | 12.3  | −2.5
| Liberal | Richard Martin | 5,837  | 12.1  | −3.0
| Liberal | Walter Morrison | 5,743  | 11.9  | −2.6
Majority | 4,306  | 8.9  | +5.7
Turnout | 16,129 (est)  | 67.1 (est)  | +1.0
Registered electors | 24,042  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.6  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.8  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.8  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −2.6  |

* Reduction of constituency to two seats, in the 1885 redistribution

## Parliament of the United Kingdom election results (2 seats) 1885–1950

[edit]

1880s –

1890s – 1900s – 1910s – 1920s – 1930s – 1940s

### Elections in the 1880s

[edit]

Fowler General election 1885: City of London (2 seats)[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Robert Fowler | 12,827  | 38.8  | +17.6
| Conservative | John Hubbard | 8,802  | 26.7  | +5.5
| Liberal | Stephen Low  | 5,817  | 17.6  | +5.3
| Ind. Conservative | William Cotton | 5,563  | 16.9  | −4.4
Turnout | 33,009  | 68.6  | +1.5 (est)
Majority | 2,985  | 9.1  | +0.2
Registered electors | 29,152  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +7.5  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +1.4  |
General election 1886: City of London (2 seats)[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Robert Fowler | Unopposed
| Conservative | John Hubbard | Unopposed
| Conservative hold

Fowler was elevated to the peerage, becoming Lord Addington, requiring a by-election.

By-Election 27 July 1887: City of London[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Thomas Charles Baring | Unopposed
| Conservative hold

### Elections in the 1890s

[edit]

Baring's death caused a by-election.

By-Election 18 April 1891: City of London[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Hucks Gibbs | Unopposed
| Conservative hold

Fowler's death caused a by-election.

By-Election 3 June 1891: City of London[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Reginald Hanson | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
General election 1892: City of London (2 seats)[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Reginald Hanson | 10,556  | 44.0  | N/A
| Conservative | Alban Gibbs | 9,258  | 38.5  | N/A
| Ind. Conservative | James Ritchie (Conservative politician)  | 4,207  | 17.5  | New
Majority | 5,051  | 21.0  | N/A
Turnout | 13,490 (est)  | 41.3  | N/A
Registered electors | 32,664  |  |
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold
General election 1895: City of London (2 seats)[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Alban Gibbs | Unopposed
| Conservative | Reginald Hanson | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold

### Elections in the 1900s

[edit]

General election 1900: City of London (2 seats)[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Alban Gibbs | Unopposed
| Conservative | Joseph Dimsdale | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold
1904 City of London by-election[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Alban Gibbs | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
Clarke Schuster Ridgeway General election 1906: City of London (2 seats)[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Clarke | 16,019  | 38.0  | N/A
| Conservative | Alban Gibbs | 15,619  | 37.2  | N/A
| Liberal | Felix Schuster | 5,313  | 12.7  | New
| Liberal | Joseph West Ridgeway | 5,064  | 12.1  | New
Majority | 10,306  | 24.5  | N/A
Turnout | 44,015  | 68.7  | N/A
Registered electors | 31,030  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A |
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A |
Balfour February 1906 City of London by-election[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Balfour | 15,474  | 78.9  | +3.7
| Free Trader | Thomas Gibson Bowles | 4,134  | 21.1  | New
Majority | 11,340  | 57.8  | +33.3
Turnout | 19,608  | 63.2  | −5.5
Registered electors | 31,030  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
Banbury June 1906 City of London by-election[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Frederick Banbury | Unopposed
| Conservative hold

### Elections in the 1910s

[edit]

General election January 1910: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Balfour | 17,907  | 45.0  | +7.0
| Conservative | Frederick Banbury | 17,302  | 43.4  | +6.2
| Liberal | Hugh Bell | 4,623  | 11.6  | −13.2
Turnout | 39,832  | 74.7  | +6.0
Registered electors | 30,010  |  |
Majority | 12,679  | 31.8  | +7.3
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold
General election December 1910: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Balfour | Unopposed
| Conservative | Frederick Banbury | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
| Conservative hold
General election 1918: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

C | Unionist | Arthur Balfour | Unopposed
C | Unionist | Frederick Banbury | Unopposed
| Unionist hold
| Unionist hold
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

### Elections in the 1920s

[edit]

Bowater 1922 City of London by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Edward Grenfell | 10,114  | 62.08  | N/A
| Ind. Unionist | Vansittart Bowater | 6,178  | 37.92  | New
Majority | 3,936  | 24.16  | N/A
Turnout | 44,083  | 36.96  | N/A
| Unionist hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 1922: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Frederick Banbury | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Unionist | Edward Grenfell | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Unionist hold
General election 1923: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Frederick Banbury | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Unionist | Edward Grenfell | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Unionist hold
1924 City of London by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Vansittart Bowater | 12,962  | 70.11  | N/A
| Liberal | Henry Bell | 5,525  | 29.89  | New
Majority | 7,437  | 40.22  | N/A
Turnout | 18,487  | 41.89  | N/A
| Unionist hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 1924: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Vansittart Bowater | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Unionist | Edward Grenfell | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Unionist hold
Jacobsen General election 1929: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Vansittart Bowater | 16,149  | 43.9  | N/A
| Unionist | Edward Grenfell | 16,092  | 43.7  | N/A
| Liberal | Thomas Owen Jacobsen | 4,579  | 12.4  | New
Majority | 11,513  | 31.3  | N/A
Turnout | 36,820  | 45.2  | N/A
| Unionist hold | Swing | N/A |

### Elections in the 1930s

[edit]

General election 1931: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Vansittart Bowater | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Conservative | Edward Grenfell | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Conservative hold
1935 City of London by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Alan Anderson | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Conservative hold
General election 1935: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Alan Anderson | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Conservative | Vansittart Bowater | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Conservative hold
1938 City of London by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | George Broadbridge | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| Conservative hold

### Elections in the 1940s

[edit]

1940 City of London by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| National | Andrew Duncan | Unopposed  | N/A | N/A
| National gain from Conservative
General election 1945: City of London (2 seats)  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| National | Andrew Duncan | 5,332  | 39.48  | N/A
| Conservative | George Broadbridge | 5,309  | 39.31  | N/A
| Liberal | Andrew McFadyean | 1,487  | 11.01  | New
| Independent | S. W. Alexander | 1,379  | 10.21  | New
Majority | 3,822  | 28.30  | N/A
Turnout | 10,851  | 63.9  | N/A
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
1945 City of London by-election[20] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Ralph Assheton | 4,506  | 74.99  | +35.68
| Liberal | Arthur Comyns Carr | 1,503  | 25.01  | +14.00
Majority | 3,003  | 49.98  | N/A
Turnout | 6,009  | 51.58  | −12.3
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

## See also

[edit]

* Duration of English, British and United Kingdom parliaments from 1660
* List of parliamentary constituencies in London
* Cities of London and Westminster (UK Parliament constituency)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "2 & 3 Will. 4 c. 64 Schedule O 22". The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 2 & 3 William IV. London: His Majesty's Statute and Law Printers. 1832. p. 351. Retrieved 2 August 2019.; Commissioners on Proposed Division of Counties and Boundaries of Boroughs (20 January 1832). "City of London". Parliamentary Representation: Further Return to an Address to His Majesty, Dated 12 December, 1831; for Copies of Instructions Given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department with Reference to Parliamentary Representation; Likewise Copies of Letters of Reports Received by the Secretary of State for the Home Department in Answer to Such Instructions. Reports from Commissioners on Proposed Division of Counties and Boundaries of Boroughs. Volume II Part I. Parliamentary Papers. Vol. 1831–32 HC 39 (141) 1. p. 117. Retrieved 2 August 2019.; also Metropolitan Boroughs Map included with the report.
2. ^ [The House of Commons 1509–1558, by S.T. Bindoff (Secker & Warburg 1982)]
3. ^ Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 Sch.2 (as enacted) See instead substituted Sch.2 (16.2.2011) by Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 (c. 1), ss. 11(1), 19(1) (with s. 13(5))
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah Stooks Smith, Henry. (1973) [1844-1850]. Craig, F. W. S. (ed.). The Parliaments of England (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. pp. 209–212. ISBN 0-900178-13-2.
5. ^ a b c "Dublin Evening Packet and Correspondent". 27 July 1837. p. 2. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
6. ^ a b Fisher, David R. (2009). "London". The History of Parliament. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
7. ^ Beaven, Alfred P. (1908). The Aldermen of the City of London Temp. Henry III - 1912. London: British History Online. pp. 261–297. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
8. ^ a b Churton, Edward (1838). The Assembled Commons or Parliamentary Biographer: 1838. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via Google Books.
9. ^ "Sir John Key, Bart". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. 10 May 1834. p. 3. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885 (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.
11. ^ a b "Kentish Gazette". 3 October 1843. p. 2. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
12. ^ a b "Lord John Russell's Speech to the Electors of the City of London". Derby Mercury. 28 July 1847. p. 6. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
13. ^ "Local News and Table Talk". Cheltenham Chronicle. 5 July 1849. p. 3. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
14. ^ "Imperial Parliament". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 31 May 1851. p. 8. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
15. ^ "Harwich Election". Morning Post. 29 May 1851. p. 4. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
16. ^ "Election News". Leeds Intelligencer. 7 August 1847. p. 7. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
17. ^ "English Cities and Boroughs". Globe. 20 August 1847. p. 1. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
18. ^ "North Wales Chronicle". 6 July 1847. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 21 October 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Craig, FWS, ed. (1974). British Parliamentary Election Results: 1885-1918. London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 9781349022984.
20. ^ WGK. "1945 By Elections". Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2020.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Boundaries of Parliamentary Constituencies 1885-1972, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Political Reference Publications 1972)
* British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (The Macmillan Press 1977)
* British Parliamentary Election Results 1885-1918, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (The Macmillan Press 1974)
* British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (The Macmillan Press 1977)
* The House of Commons 1715-1754, by Romney Sedgwick (HMSO 1970)
* The House of Commons 1754-1790, by Sir Lewis Namier and John Brooke (HMSO 1964)
* The Parliaments of England by Henry Stooks Smith (1st edition published in three volumes 1844–50), second edition edited (in one volume) by F.W.S. Craig (Political Reference Publications 1973)
* Who's Who of British Members of Parliament: Volume I 1832-1885, edited by M. Stenton (The Harvester Press 1976)
* The Times, various editions, was used to obtain dates of elections or unopposed returns and first names of candidates not available in the above books (from 1885 to 1910). The dates of declarations are used before 1885 and the dates of the General Election polling day from 1918.
* Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "L" (part 3)

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Preceded by

Tamworth

|  Constituency represented by the prime minister
1846–1852  | Vacant

until 1855

Title next held by

Tiverton

* v
* t
* e

Historic constituencies in London

1832|

* City of London
* Finsbury
* Greenwich
* Lambeth
* Marylebone
* Southwark
* Tower Hamlets
* Westminster

1868|

* Chelsea
* City of London
* Finsbury
* Greenwich
* Hackney
* Lambeth
* Marylebone
* Southwark
* Tower Hamlets
* Westminster

1885|

* Battersea
* Bermondsey
* Bethnal Green North East
* Bethnal Green South West
* Bow and Bromley
* Brixton
* Camberwell North
* Chelsea
* City of London
* Clapham
* Deptford
* Dulwich
* Finsbury Central
* Finsbury East
* Fulham
* Greenwich
* Hackney Central
* Hackney North
* Hackney South
* Haggerston
* Hammersmith
* Hampstead
* Holborn
* Hoxton
* Islington East
* Islington North
* Islington South
* Islington West
* Kennington
* Kensington North
* Kensington South
* Lambeth North
* Lewisham
* Limehouse
* Marylebone East
* Marylebone West
* Mile End
* Newington West
* Norwood
* Paddington North
* Paddington South
* Peckham
* Poplar
* Rotherhithe
* Southwark West
* St George
* St George's Hanover Square
* St Pancras East
* St Pancras North
* St Pancras South
* St Pancras West
* Stepney
* Strand
* Walworth
* Wandsworth
* Westminster
* Whitechapel
* Woolwich

1918|

* Balham and Tooting
* Battersea North
* Battersea South
* Bermondsey West
* Bethnal Green North East
* Bethnal Green South West
* Bow and Bromley
* Brixton
* Camberwell North
* Camberwell North West
* Clapham
* Dulwich
* Chelsea
* City of London
* Deptford
* Finsbury
* Fulham East
* Fulham West
* Greenwich
* Hackney Central
* Hackney North
* Hackney South
* Hammersmith North
* Hammersmith South
* Hampstead
* Holborn
* Islington East
* Islington North
* Islington South
* Islington West
* Kennington
* Kensington North
* Kensington South
* Lambeth North
* Lewisham East
* Lewisham West
* Limehouse
* Mile End
* Norwood
* Paddington North
* Paddington South
* Peckham
* Poplar South
* Putney
* Rotherhithe
* St Marylebone
* St Pancras North
* St Pancras South East
* St Pancras South West
* Shoreditch
* Southwark Central
* Southwark North
* Southwark South East
* Stoke Newington
* Streatham
* Wandsworth Central
* Westminster Abbey
* Westminster St George's
* Whitechapel and St George's
* Woolwich East
* Woolwich West

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