1847 General Election

29 July – 26 August 1847 · Reform and Realignment · 656 seats, 329 for a majority

The first election after the Corn Law schism, with Conservatives divided between Protectionists and Peelites. Russell's Whigs governed from a minority as famine ravaged Ireland.

Prime Minister before

Lord John Russell

Whig

Prime Minister (continued)

Lord John Russell

Whig

Government formed

Whig

Turnout

—

The result

Sort by

Conservative

Lord Stanley · 42.6%

325

seats

Whig

Lord John Russell · 53.8%

292

seats

Irish Repeal

John O'Connell · 2.9%

seats


Conservative	Lord Stanley	325	205,481	42.6%	-9.0
Whig	Lord John Russell	292	259,311	53.8%	+7.6
Irish Repeal	John O'Connell	36	14,128	2.9%	+1.0

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.