History Derbyshire (UK Parliament constituency)

1 history

1.1 boundaries , franchise
1.2 character
1.3 abolition

history
boundaries , franchise

the constituency, first returned members parliament in 1290, consisted of historic county of derbyshire. (this included borough of derby; though derby elected 2 mps in own right, not excluded county constituency, , owning property within borough confer vote @ county election.)

in medieval times, mps have been elected @ county court, suitors court, meant tiny handful of local nobility tenants in chief of crown. however, 1430, forty shilling freeholder act extended right vote every man possessed freehold property within county valued @ £2 or more per year purposes of land tax; not necessary freeholder occupy land, nor in later years resident in county @ all.

except briefly during period of commonwealth, derbyshire had 2 mps elected bloc vote method, under each voter had 2 votes. (in first , second parliaments of oliver cromwell s protectorate, there general redistribution of seats , derbyshire elected 4 members; traditional arrangements restored 1659.)

character

from elizabethan times, elections in derbyshire dominated cavendish family @ chatsworth, later dukes of devonshire. influence established formidable bess of hardwick, second husband cavendish , in 1572 manoeuvred secure son marriage seat mp county - considerable honour young man family of minor importance. had meanwhile married 6th earl of shrewsbury, , stepson, future 7th earl, elected second seat county @ same time, despite being two-and-a-half years young take seat. point onwards until reform act, 1 of 2 mps invariably cavendish or cavendish nominee, although other seat left other leading families of county; continuance of dominance more remarkable because derbyshire did not have rash of boroughs local gentry find seat when unable secure election derbyshire - indeed, in 1 borough there was, derby, dukes of devonshire kept tight hold on 1 of 2 seats did in county.

as in counties of size, contested elections avoided whenever possible because of expense. elections held @ single polling place, derby, , voters rest of county had travel county town exercise franchise; candidates expected meet expenses of supporters in travelling poll , entertain them lavishly food , drink when got there. there 4 general elections between 1700 , 1832 when derbyshire s seats contested: on every other occasion various competing interests in county managed reach agreement on should represent county without taking matter poll.

in pre-industrial era, derbyshire flourishing agricultural county, 1 of english counties dramatically affected industrialisation in 18th , 19th centuries, becoming noted in particular manufacture of heavy machinery , (during napoleonic wars) of armaments. population grew swiftly (having reached 237,170 1831); electorate has been estimated @ 3,000 or 4,000 in second half of 18th century, , not higher time of reform act. dukes of devonshire able maintain of traditional influence, cavendish members occupying 1 of 2 seats whig mp; county predominantly tory, , ensured other mp returned in interest.

few of industrial workers, of course, had vote since not property owners, , in 19th century political unrest common - notably pentrich revolution or derbyshire rising of 1817. derbyshire became 1 of vocal centres of agitation parliamentary reform, , 1830 sentiment had spread voters well. @ 1831 election sitting tory mp summarily swept out of seat supporting destructive amendment reform bill.

but duke of devonshire, supporter of reform though entailed loss of own pocket boroughs around country, able retain voters support, telling county meeting in 1832:

the members of aristocracy have been considered in unfavourable light people. of indebted manner in present constitution of parliament has enabled them interfere , dictate in representation... let them stand on own merits; , have no fear people of england unjust aristocracy of england, united mutual kind feelings , offices, , not close boroughs , mock representation.

- speech recorded in duke of devonshire s diary, quoted in brock

this seems have sufficiently satisfied derbyshire voters allowed dukes continue interfere , dictate in representation extent continued electing cavendishes (in northern division after county divided reform act) 20th century.

abolition

the constituency abolished in 1832 great reform act, divided county 2 new two-member divisions, northern derbyshire , southern derbyshire.