1852 General Election
7–31 July 1852 · Reform and Realignment · 654 seats, 328 for a majority
Derby's minority Conservatives, still committed to protection, narrowly outpolled a fractured opposition. The hung result produced the Aberdeen coalition of Whigs and Peelites within months.
Prime Minister before
Earl of Derby
Conservative
Prime Minister (continued)
Earl of Derby
Conservative
Government formed
Conservative
Turnout
—
The result
| Share of Commons | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Earl of Derby | 330 | 311,481 | 41.9% | -0.8 | |
| Whig | Lord John Russell | 324 | 430,882 | 57.9% | +4.1 |
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.