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
| Share of Commons | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.