1832 General Election

The first reformed election

22 November 1830 · Reform and Realignment · 658 seats, 330 for a majority

The first election under the Great Reform Act: rotten boroughs abolished, industrial towns enfranchised and the electorate expanded by roughly half. Grey's Whigs won an overwhelming mandate for the reformed system.

Prime Minister before

Earl Grey

Whig

Prime Minister (continued)

Earl Grey

Whig

Government formed

Whig

Turnout

The result

Share of Commons
WhigEarl Grey441
554,71967.0%+3.7
ToryDuke of Wellington175
241,28429.2%-7.5
Irish RepealDaniel O'Connell42
31,7733.8%

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.