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Windsor (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliament constituency in the United Kingdom 1801–1974 and 1997 onwards From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Windsor (UK Parliament constituency)map
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Windsor (/ˈwɪnzə/) is a constituency[n 1] of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament represented since 2024 by Jack Rankin of the Conservative Party.[n 2] It was re-created for the 1997 general election after it was abolished following the 1970 general election and replaced by the Windsor and Maidenhead constituency.

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Constituency profile

The constituency is centred on Windsor Great Park, covering the eponymous town of Windsor and various towns and villages in RBWM and Slough, in Berkshire, and Runnymede in Surrey.

The re-created constituency, from 1997, has continued a trend of large Conservative Party majorities. Post 2023 boundary changes, in local elections in the seat the major opposition party varies, with Labour strong in the Slough wards and Englefield Green, the Liberal Democrats in the town of Windsor itself, and independents in various villages. That said, affluent villages and small towns along the River Thames and around the Great Park have continued to contribute to large Conservative majorities, including Wraysbury and Ascot.

In the 2024 General Election, Labour came second to the Conservatives due to the changed composition of the seat in the boundary changes.

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History

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Windsor has had parliamentary representation for centuries, formally known as the Parliamentary Borough of New Windsor, first sending a member in 1301, and continuously from 1424. It elected two members of parliament until 1868, when its representation was reduced to one MP. In 1918, the Parliamentary Borough was abolished and absorbed into the new county seat of Windsor, which also included large parts of the abolished Wokingham constituency.

In 1974, the constituency was abolished and replaced by Windsor and Maidenhead, although there were no changes to the boundaries. In 1997, the constituency was recreated when Windsor and Maidenhead was split into two separate seats.

The early political history of the area was strongly influenced by the monarch and members of his or her family. Windsor Castle has been an important royal residence throughout the history of the constituency.

17th century

The pre-1832 franchise of the borough was held by inhabitants paying scot and lot (a local tax). On 2 May 1689 the House of Commons had decided that the electorate should be limited to the members of Windsor Corporation. This was disputed after the next election, in 1690, when the Mayor submitted two returns of different members. The House of Commons reversed the decision of the previous Parliament and confirmed the scot and lot franchise.

18th century

There were 278 electors in 1712. Namier and Brooke estimated that, in 1754–1790, there were about 300 electors.

During part of the 18th century the Duke of Cumberland (son of King George II) and the Beauclerk family (descended from King Charles II) had political interests in the borough.

King George III became personally involved in the hotly contested 1780 general election. George encouraged local landowner Peniston Portlock Powney to stand by paying him £2,500 from the King's personal account. The King wished to defeat Admiral Keppel (later Viscount Keppel), an incumbent. The monarch went so far as to canvass tradesmen who dealt with the royal household. After this royal interference in the election, Keppel lost by a narrow 16 votes. Namier and Brooke suggest the Windsor electorate had an independent streak and were difficult to manage.

19th century

In 1832 a new property based franchise replaced the scot and lot qualification. Under the new system, there were 507 registered electors in 1832. The borough representatives before the Reform Act 1832 included soldiers and people connected with the Royal Household, such as Sir Richard Hussey Vivian (MP 1826–1831) and Sir Herbert Taylor (MP 1820–1823). The constituency also returned politicians prominent in national politics, like the Duke of Wellington's elder brother the Earl of Mornington in the 1780s and 1790s or the future Prime Minister Edward Stanley (subsequently the Earl of Derby) in the early 1830s).

The Ramsbottom family filled one seat from 1806 until 1845. The borough had been loyal to the King's Pittite/Tory ministers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but became more favourable to the Whig interest after John Ramsbottom (MP 1810–1845) was elected.

By the 1860s the monarch had ceased to interfere in local affairs. The borough fell under the patronage of Colonel R. Richardson-Gardner. Richardson-Gardner was a local landowner, who caused some animosity when following the 1868 general election he evicted tenants who did not support him at the polls. This was the last Parliamentary election the Conservatives lost in Windsor.

Despite (or perhaps because of) his methods, Richardson-Gardner was elected to Parliament in 1874.

20th century

Successive Conservative MPs, before the First World War, had considerable influence in the constituency; especially when they subscribed generously to local institutions such as a hospital.

The county division created in 1918 combined the town of Windsor, with territory to its west, south and east which had formerly been in the Wokingham division. The incumbent MP for Wokingham up to 1918, Ernest Gardner, was the first representative of the expanded Windsor constituency. The Conservative Party retained the seat continuously until its temporary abolition in 1974, as it has since its recreation in 1997.

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Boundaries and boundary changes

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Map of 2010–2024 boundaries

Before 1868

The parliamentary borough of New Windsor[n 3] was based upon the easternmost town in Berkshire in South East England, which grew up around Windsor Castle and the narrowly defined electorate could also vote for the county representatives. The north boundary of the constituency was on the River Thames, which was then the border between Buckinghamshire which had a seat of the same name and Berkshire, likewise the rest of the borough adjoined the Berkshire county constituency.

1868–1918

The boundaries of the parliamentary borough were extended by the Parliamentary Boundaries Act 1868 (31 & 32 Vict., c. 46)[2] to include the villages of Clewer and Eton (the latter then being in Buckinghamshire, north of the Thames).[3]

Between 1885 and 1918 the seat to the north of the Thames was the Wycombe division of Buckinghamshire and the other neighbouring constituency was the Wokingham division of Berkshire.

1918–1950

The parliamentary borough was abolished by the Representation of the People Act 1918 and replaced by a county division named Windsor. The constituency comprised the local government areas (as they existed in 1918):

The new constituency comprised the bulk of the abolished Wokingham division, including Maidenhead and rural areas surrounding Windsor and Maidenhead, but excluding the Municipal Borough of Wokingham itself, and incorporating the abolished Borough, with the exception of Eton, which was added to the Wycombe division of Buckinghamshire.

1950–1974

The constituency was reduced in size by the Representation of the People Act 1948, comprising:

  • the Municipal Boroughs of New Windsor and Maidenhead; and
  • the Rural Districts of Cookham and Windsor.[4]

The Rural District of Easthampstead (which incorporated Bracknell) and the part of the Rural District of Wokingham were transferred to the re-established constituency of Wokingham.

For the February 1974 general election, the constituency was abolished and renamed Windsor and Maidenhead, with no changes to its boundaries; this area plus Eton, which was transferred from Buckinghamshire, became the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead established under the Local Government Act 1972.

1997–2010

For the 1997 general election, in order to effect an increase in Berkshire's representation from 7 to 8 MPs in accordance with the Fourth Periodic Review of Westminster Constituencies, the Windsor and Maidenhead constituency was abolished and two separate constituencies of Maidenhead and Windsor were created. The composition of the new constituency was:-

  • The Borough of Bracknell Forest wards of Ascot, Cranbourne, and St Mary's;
  • The Borough of Slough ward of Foxborough; and
  • The Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead wards of Bray, Castle, Clewer North, Clewer South, Datchet, Eton North and South, Eton West, Horton and Wraysbury, Old Windsor, Park, Sunningdale and South Ascot, Sunninghill, and Trinity.[5]

The majority of the electorate in the abolished constituency was included in Maidenhead, whilst Windsor was joined by Eton and Bray. It also included a ward of Slough Borough Council north of the Thames, which was transferred from the Borough Constituency of Slough, and was extended southwards to include a part of the abolished constituency of East Berkshire, including Ascot and Sunningdale.

In 1998 there was a small re-alignment of county boundaries in the north east corner of Berkshire. This transferred to the Borough of Slough a small polling district from Surrey and another from Buckinghamshire to form Colnbrook and Poyle. This new ward (since renamed Colnbrook with Poyle) was added to the Windsor constituency and was effective from the 2001 general election.[6]

2010–2024

Further to the Fifth Periodic Review, the composition of the constituency is:-

The constituency gained the northern part of the constituency of Bracknell, including Binfield. Bray was transferred to Maidenhead and the Foxborough ward of the Borough of Slough returned to the Borough Constituency thereof.

2024–present

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which became effective for the 2024 general election, the constituency is composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

  • The Borough of Runnymede wards of: Englefield Green East; Englefield Green West; Virginia Water.
  • The Borough of Slough wards of: Colnbrook with Poyle; Foxborough; Langley Kedermister.1
  • The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead wards of: Ascot & Sunninghill; Clewer & Dedworth East; Clewer & Dedworth West; Clewer East; Datchet, Horton & Wraysbury; Eton & Castle; Old Windsor; Sunningdale & Cheapside.[8]

The seat was expanded by adding two Borough of Slough wards from the Slough constituency and the communities of Englefield Green and Virginia Water from the Surrey constituency of Runnymede and Weybridge, thus creating a cross-county boundary seat. To compensate, the Bracknell Forest wards were transferred to Maidenhead, except the Warfield Harvest Ride ward, which went to Bracknell.

1 Following a local government boundary review which came into effect in May 2023,[9][10] the parts in the Borough of Slough will now comprise the following wards from the 2024 general election:

  • Colnbrook & Poyle; Langley Foxborough; Langley Marish (most); Langley St Mary's (small part).[11]
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Members of Parliament

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Burgesses in the English Parliament, 1510–1707

As there were sometimes significant gaps between Parliaments held in this period, the dates of first assembly and dissolution are given. Where the name of the member has not yet been ascertained or (in the 16th century) is not recorded in a surviving document, the entry unknown is entered in the table.

The Roman numerals after some names are those used in The House of Commons 1509–1558 and The House of Commons 1558–1603 to distinguish a member from another politician of the same name.

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MPs 1707–1868

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MPs 1868–1974

MPs 1997–present

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Elections

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Elections in the 2020s

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Elections in the 2010s

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Elections in the 2000s

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Elections in the 1990s

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Elections in the 1970s

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Elections in the 1960s

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Elections in the 1950s

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Elections in the 1940s

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Elections in the 1930s

General Election 1939/40

Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by the Autumn of 1939, the following candidates had been selected;
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Elections in the 1920s

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Elections in the 1910s

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General Election 1914/15

Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1915. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;
  • Unionist: James Francis Mason
  • Liberal: James Alexander Browning
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Elections in the 1900s

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Elections in the 1890s

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Barry
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  • Caused by Richardson-Gardner's resignation.

Elections in the 1880s

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Elections 1868–1880

The bloc vote electoral system was used in two seat elections and first past the post for single member by-elections and general elections from 1868. Each voter had up to as many votes as there were seats to be filled. Votes had to be cast by a spoken declaration, in public, at the hustings (until the secret ballot was introduced in 1872).

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Elections 1690–1866

Note on percentage change calculations: Where there was only one candidate of a party in successive elections, for the same number of seats, change is calculated on the party percentage vote. Where there was more than one candidate, in one or both successive elections for the same number of seats, then change is calculated on the individual percentage vote.

Note on sources: The information for the election results given below is taken from Cruickshanks et al. 1690–1715, Sedgwick 1715–1754, Namier and Brooke 1754–1790, Stooks Smith 1790–1832 and from Craig thereafter. Where Stooks Smith gives additional information or differs from the other sources this is indicated in a note after the result. When a candidate is described as Non Partisan for an election this means that the sources used do not give a party label. This does not necessarily mean that the candidate did not regard himself as a member of a party or acted as such in Parliament. Craig's party labels have been varied to take account of the development of parties. Tory candidates are classified as Conservative from the 1835 United Kingdom general election. Whig and Radical candidates are classified separately until the formal establishment of the Liberal Party shortly after the 1859 United Kingdom general election.

1690s1700s1710s1720s1730s1740s1750s1760s1770s1780s1790s1800s1810s1820s1830s1840s1850s1860s

Elections in the 1860s

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  • Caused by the previous election being declared void on petition after both Hoare and Labouchere were found guilty of bribery via their agents.[54]
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  • Note (1865): Turnout is estimated, in the same way as for 1857. This election was declared void on petition.
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  • Caused by Hope's death.

Elections in the 1850s

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  • Note (1859): Turnout estimated as in 1857. A petition was presented after this election, but it was withdrawn before a formal decision was made upon it.
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  • Note (1857): As the number of electors who voted is unascertained, the minimum turnout is calculated by dividing the number of votes by two. To the extent that voters did not use both their votes the turnout figure will be an underestimate.
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  • Resignation of Wellesley
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  • Note (1852): A petition was presented against Wellesley only, but it was dismissed.
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  • Seat vacated on Reid's death
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  • Hay's resignation

Elections in the 1840s

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  • Note (1847): Stooks Smith has the registered electorate as 720.
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  • Caused by Ramsbottom's death
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  • Note (1841): Later in his career Ralph Neville became known as Ralph Neville Grenville. A petition was presented challenging this election, but it was withdrawn before a decision was obtained.

Elections in the 1830s

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  • On petition de Beauvoir was unseated and Elley was seated on 6 April 1835, following a scrutiny.
  • Note (1835): John Walter was a candidate, but he retired from the contest before the election.
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Note (1832): Stooks Smith classified Ramsbottom as a Radical candidate from this election. However as Stenton, editing a book composed of Parliamentary biographies published by a contemporary after the Reform Act 1832, described Ramsbottom as being 'of Whig principles' he continues to be classified as a Whig in this article.

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  • Seat vacated on the appointment of Vivian as Commander of the Forces in Ireland
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Elections in the 1820s

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  • Resignation of Taylor
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  • Note (1820): From this election Stooks Smith does not append junior to the name of John Ramsbottom.

Elections in the 1810s

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  • Death of Disbrowe
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  • Resignation of Ramsbottom

Elections in the 1800s

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  • Seat vacated when Williams was declared not duly elected
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  • Seat vacated on the appointment of Greville as a Groom of the Bedchamber

Elections in the 1790s

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  • Death of Isherwood
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  • Death of Powney
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Elections in the 1780s

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  • Seat vacated on the appointment of Powney as Ranger of the Little Park.
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  • Death of Hussey-Montagu
  • Note (1787): Lord John Russell was a candidate, but declined going to the poll.
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Elections in the 1770s

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  • Death of Tonson.
  • Note (1772): Both Stooks Smith and Napier & Brooke refer to this MP as the Hon. John Montagu.

Elections in the 1760s

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  • Death of Beauclerk.
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  • Seat vacated on the appointment of Keppel to an office.
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Elections in the 1750s

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Elections in the 1740s

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  • Death of Beauclerk
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  • Seat vacated on the appointment of Fox to an office.
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Elections in the 1730s

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  • Seat vacated after the appointment of Lord Vere Beauclerk to an office.
  • A double return was made. The House of Commons decided the correct result was Beauclerk 240 (60.00%) and Oldfield 160 (40.00%); a majority of 80 (20.00%). Beauclerk was declared duly elected on 27 March 1738.
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  • Seat vacated on the appointment of Beauclerk as a Commissioner of the Navy.

Elections in the 1720s

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Elections in the 1710s

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  • On petition, Wren and Gayer were unseated and Ashurst and Travers were seated on 14 April 1715.
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  • Death of Paul
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Elections in the 1700s

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Elections in the 1690s

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  • Death of Adderley, in June 1693
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  • Note: There is a discrepancy between sources, as The House of Common 1690–1715 indicates that Wren was elected at this election; whereas Leigh Rayment indicates Sir Algernon May was re-elected; both with Baptist May.
  • On petition, Wren and May were unseated and Porter and Adderley were seated on 17 May 1690.
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See also

Notes

  1. A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
  2. As with all constituencies in their modern form, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years, until 1868 the constituency as a parliamentary borough had the right to send two to most Parliaments.
  3. Sometimes known as New Windsor to distinguish it from the adjoining settlement of Old Windsor which was at the time still in Surrey
  4. Date of Pride's Purge, which converted the Long Parliament into the Rump Parliament
  5. Date when Oliver Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament by force.
  6. Date when the members of the nominated or Barebones Parliament were selected. The parliamentary borough of Windsor was not represented in this body.
  7. Date when the members of the First Protectorate Parliament were elected. The parliamentary borough of Windsor was not represented in this body. Windsor formed part of the county constituency of Berkshire for this Parliament.
  8. Date when the members of the Second Protectorate Parliament were elected. The parliamentary borough of Windsor was not represented in this body. Windsor formed part of the county constituency of Berkshire for this Parliament.
  9. The Rump Parliament was recalled and subsequently Pride's Purge was reversed, allowing the full Long Parliament to meet until it agreed to dissolve itself.
  10. The MPs of the last Parliament of England and 45 members co-opted from the former Parliament of Scotland, became the House of Commons of the 1st Parliament of Great Britain which assembled on 23 October 1707 (see below for the members in that Parliament).
  11. Died in office, May 1711
  12. To the House of Lords as Lord Masham, January 1712
  13. Not duly elected at 1715 general election
  14. To the House of Lords, having succeeded to a dukedom, May 1726
  15. To the House of Lords, having succeeded to an earldom, May 1730
  16. Died November 1744
  17. Died May 1768
  18. Died 1772
  19. Died in office, January 1794
  20. A peer of Ireland
  21. Died in office, February 1796
  22. Declared not duly elected
  23. Died in office, February 1819
  24. Resigned, March 1810
  25. Resigned, February 1823
  26. Resigned on appointment as Commander of Forces in Ireland, February 1831
  27. Unseated on petition
  28. Seated after a scrutiny
  29. Died 1852
  30. Resigned 1850
  31. Resigned 1855
  32. Contested the 1865 general election as a Liberal candidate.
  33. Died 1863
  34. Election declared void on petition
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References

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