1830 General Election

29 July – 1 September 1830 · The Unreformed Commons · 658 seats, 330 for a majority

George IV's death forced an election as reform agitation surged. Wellington's Tories lost ground, he lost a confidence vote within months, and Earl Grey formed the Whig ministry that would carry the Reform Act.

Prime Minister before

Duke of Wellington

Tory

Prime Minister after

Earl Grey

Whig

Government formed

Whig

Turnout

—

The result

Sort by

Tory

Duke of Wellington · 38.4%

250

seats

Whig

Marquess of Lansdowne · 59.3%

196

seats

Ultra-Tories

Sir Edward Knatchbull · 1.4%

seats


Tory	Duke of Wellington	250	62,554	38.4%	—
Whig	Marquess of Lansdowne	196	96,536	59.3%	—
Ultra-Tories	Sir Edward Knatchbull	60	2,305	1.4%	—

Before 1918, party labels were looser and many seats went uncontested, so vote totals and shares understate real support. Seat counts are the reliable measure.