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1874 United Kingdom general election Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The 1874 United Kingdom General Election: Analysis and Outcomes

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The 1874 United Kingdom General Election: Analysis and Outcomes Study Guide

Election Context and Timeline

The voting period for the 1874 United Kingdom general election occurred entirely within the month of February 1874.

Answer: False

Explanation: The voting for the 1874 United Kingdom general election took place between January 31 and February 17, 1874, meaning it did not occur entirely within February.

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What were the specific dates during which the voting took place for the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

Answer: January 31 to February 17, 1874

Explanation: The voting period for the 1874 United Kingdom general election spanned from January 31 to February 17, 1874.

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National Electoral Performance

In the 1874 general election, the Liberal Party won a majority of seats despite receiving fewer popular votes than the Conservative Party.

Answer: False

Explanation: The premise of this question is factually inaccurate. In the 1874 election, the Liberal Party secured the majority of the popular vote. However, the Conservative Party, led by Benjamin Disraeli, achieved a majority of seats in the House of Commons, a result influenced by a substantial number of unopposed Conservative candidates.

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The 1874 election marked the first time the Conservative Party achieved an outright majority in the House of Commons since the early 19th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 1874 election was significant for the Conservative Party as it marked their first outright electoral victory since Robert Peel's success in 1841, which was over thirty years prior, not the early 19th century in general.

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The 1874 election is unique because it was the first election where a party won the popular vote majority but lost the seat majority.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 1874 election is unique not because it was the first instance of a party winning the popular vote majority but losing the seat majority, but because it is the *only* time this phenomenon has occurred since the introduction of the secret ballot.

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A total of 652 seats were contested in the 1874 United Kingdom general election, requiring 326 seats for a majority.

Answer: False

Explanation: While 652 seats were contested in the 1874 election, a total of 327 seats were required to form a majority government, not 326.

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The 1874 general election saw six more MPs elected compared to the preceding 1868 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 1874 general election resulted in a total of 652 MPs being elected, which was six fewer than the number elected in the preceding 1868 election.

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Benjamin Disraeli led the Liberal Party, while William Ewart Gladstone led the Conservative Party during the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The leadership roles were reversed: Benjamin Disraeli led the Conservative Party, and William Ewart Gladstone led the Liberal Party during the 1874 election.

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The Conservative Party won 350 seats in the 1874 election, representing a net increase of 79 seats.

Answer: True

Explanation: This statement is accurate. The Conservative Party won 350 seats in the 1874 election, which represented a net increase of 79 seats compared to the previous election.

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The Liberal Party experienced a substantial gain of 145 seats in the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party did not gain seats; they experienced a substantial decrease of 145 seats in the 1874 election compared to the previous election.

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William Gladstone served as Prime Minister before the 1874 election, and Benjamin Disraeli took over afterwards.

Answer: True

Explanation: This statement accurately reflects the change in Prime Ministerial leadership following the 1874 election. William Gladstone of the Liberal Party was Prime Minister prior to the election, and Benjamin Disraeli of the Conservative Party assumed the role afterward.

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The Conservative Party experienced a net decrease of 79 seats in the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Conservative Party did not experience a decrease; they achieved a net increase of 79 seats in the 1874 election, winning a total of 350 seats.

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The Liberal Party saw a net increase of 145 seats in the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party experienced a net decrease of 145 seats in the 1874 election, not an increase. They won a total of 242 seats.

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Despite winning the majority of the popular vote, which party ultimately lost the seat majority in the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

Answer: Liberal Party

Explanation: The Liberal Party won the majority of the popular vote in the 1874 United Kingdom general election but ultimately lost the seat majority to the Conservative Party.

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The 1874 election was particularly significant for the Conservative Party because it marked their first outright electoral victory since which year?

Answer: 1841

Explanation: The 1874 election marked the Conservative Party's first outright electoral victory since Robert Peel's success in 1841, a period of over thirty years.

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What unique electoral anomaly occurred in the 1874 election related to the secret ballot and popular vote?

Answer: It was the only time since the secret ballot's introduction that a party won the popular vote majority but lost the seat majority.

Explanation: The 1874 election is notable as the sole instance since the implementation of the secret ballot where a political party achieved a majority of the popular vote yet failed to secure a majority of seats in Parliament.

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How many seats were required in the House of Commons to form a majority government after the 1874 election?

Answer: 327

Explanation: To form a majority government in the House of Commons following the 1874 election, a total of 327 seats were required out of the 652 contested seats.

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Compared to the previous 1868 election, how did the total number of MPs elected in 1874 change?

Answer: Six fewer MPs were elected in 1874.

Explanation: The total number of MPs elected in the 1874 general election was 652, which was six fewer than the number elected in the preceding 1868 election.

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Who was the leader of the Liberal Party during the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

Answer: William Ewart Gladstone

Explanation: William Ewart Gladstone was the leader of the Liberal Party during the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

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The Conservative Party won 350 seats in the 1874 election. What was their net change in seats compared to the previous election?

Answer: An increase of 79 seats

Explanation: The Conservative Party achieved a net increase of 79 seats in the 1874 election, bringing their total to 350 seats.

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The Liberal Party won 242 seats in the 1874 election. What was their net change in seats compared to the previous election?

Answer: A decrease of 145 seats

Explanation: The Liberal Party experienced a net decrease of 145 seats in the 1874 election, winning a total of 242 seats.

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Who became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the 1874 general election results?

Answer: Benjamin Disraeli

Explanation: Benjamin Disraeli became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the Conservative Party's victory in the 1874 general election.

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Regional Electoral Outcomes

In Great Britain, the Liberal Party won more seats than the Conservative Party during the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: In Great Britain specifically, the Conservative Party won more seats than the Liberal Party during the 1874 election. The Conservatives secured 319 seats in Great Britain, while the Liberals won 230.

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The Liberal Party maintained its dominance in Scotland during the 1874 election, winning 40 seats.

Answer: True

Explanation: This statement is accurate. The Liberal Party maintained a strong presence in Scotland during the 1874 election, securing 40 seats, while the Conservative Party won 18 seats in the region.

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In Wales during the 1874 election, the Conservative Party secured a majority of the seats contested.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Conservative Party did not secure a majority of seats in Wales during the 1874 election. The Liberal Party won 19 seats, while the Conservative Party won 14 seats out of the 33 contested in Wales.

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The Liberal Party was the dominant political force in Ireland following the 1874 general election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Liberal Party was not the dominant political force in Ireland after the 1874 election. The Irish Home Rule League emerged as the dominant group, winning 60 seats, while the Irish Conservative Party secured 31 seats, and the Liberal Party won only 10 seats in Ireland.

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The Liberal Party won 171 seats in England in the 1874 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: This statement is accurate. The Liberal Party secured 171 seats in England during the 1874 general election.

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The Conservative Party won 280 seats in England during the 1874 election.

Answer: True

Explanation: This statement is accurate. The Conservative Party won 280 seats in England during the 1874 general election.

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A total of 101 seats were contested in Wales in the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: A total of 33 seats were contested in Wales during the 1874 election. The figure of 101 seats refers to the total number of seats contested in Ireland.

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The Irish Conservative Party secured more seats than the Home Rule League in Ireland in the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Irish Home Rule League secured more seats (60) than the Irish Conservative Party (31) in Ireland during the 1874 election. Although the Conservatives received a slightly higher vote share, the Home Rule League won the majority of seats.

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In Great Britain specifically, how did the seat count compare between the Liberal and Conservative parties in the 1874 election?

Answer: Liberals won 230 seats, Conservatives won 319 seats.

Explanation: In Great Britain during the 1874 election, the Conservative Party secured 319 seats, while the Liberal Party won 230 seats.

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What was the distribution of seats between the Liberal and Conservative parties in Scotland during the 1874 election?

Answer: Liberals 40, Conservatives 18

Explanation: In Scotland during the 1874 election, the Liberal Party won 40 seats, and the Conservative Party won 18 seats.

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In Wales, the 1874 election saw the Liberal Party win 19 seats. What percentage of the vote did they secure in Wales?

Answer: 60.9%

Explanation: In Wales, the Liberal Party secured 60.9% of the vote in the 1874 election, winning 19 seats. The Conservative Party secured 39.1% of the vote, winning 14 seats.

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Following the 1874 general election, which political group emerged as the dominant force in Ireland?

Answer: The Home Rule League

Explanation: The Home Rule League emerged as the dominant political force in Ireland after the 1874 general election, winning 60 seats.

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In the 1874 election, how many seats did the Liberal Party win in England?

Answer: 171

Explanation: The Liberal Party won 171 seats in England during the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

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How many seats did the Conservative Party win in England in the 1874 election?

Answer: 280

Explanation: The Conservative Party won 280 seats in England during the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

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What was the total number of seats contested in Ireland during the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

Answer: 101

Explanation: A total of 101 seats were contested in Ireland during the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

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Which of the following statements accurately describes the outcome in Ireland regarding vote share and seats in the 1874 election?

Answer: The Home Rule League won the most seats, although the Irish Conservatives received slightly more votes.

Explanation: In Ireland, the Home Rule League secured the most seats (60), despite the Irish Conservative Party receiving a slightly higher vote share (40.8% vs. 39.6%). The Liberal Party won 10 seats.

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Electoral Reforms and Representation

The Irish Home Rule League became a prominent third party in Parliament after the 1874 election, winning all 101 seats designated for Ireland.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the Irish Home Rule League did emerge as a prominent third party, winning a significant number of seats in Ireland, they secured 60 out of the 101 seats designated for Ireland, not all of them.

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The 1874 United Kingdom general election was the first to implement the use of a secret ballot, following the Secret Ballot Act of 1872.

Answer: True

Explanation: This statement is accurate. The 1874 United Kingdom general election was indeed the first to utilize the secret ballot, a reform enacted by the Secret Ballot Act of 1872.

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The introduction of the secret ballot in 1874 likely hindered the gains of Irish Nationalists by increasing the threat of eviction for tenants voting independently.

Answer: False

Explanation: The introduction of the secret ballot in 1874 likely had the opposite effect. By reducing the threat of eviction from landlords for tenants who voted against their wishes, it potentially facilitated more independent voting patterns for Irish Nationalists.

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Alexander MacDonald and Thomas Burt were the first two working-class MPs elected, and this occurred during the 1868 general election.

Answer: False

Explanation: Alexander MacDonald and Thomas Burt were indeed the first two working-class MPs elected to Parliament, but this historic event took place during the 1874 general election, not the 1868 election.

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Alexander MacDonald was elected as a Liberal-Labour MP in Morpeth during the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Alexander MacDonald was elected as a Liberal-Labour MP in the 1874 election, he represented the constituency of Stafford, not Morpeth. Thomas Burt, the other prominent working-class MP, was elected in Morpeth.

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The Home Rule League's success in the 1874 election resulted in a gain of 60 seats, establishing them as a major parliamentary force.

Answer: True

Explanation: This statement is accurate. The Irish Home Rule League achieved significant success in the 1874 election, gaining 60 seats and establishing themselves as a major force in Parliament.

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Which political group emerged as a notable third party in Parliament after the 1874 general election, winning a significant number of seats in Ireland?

Answer: The Irish Home Rule League

Explanation: The Irish Home Rule League emerged as a significant third party in Parliament following the 1874 general election, securing 60 seats in Ireland.

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What key electoral reform was implemented for the first time in the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

Answer: The secret ballot

Explanation: The secret ballot was implemented for the first time in the 1874 United Kingdom general election, following the Secret Ballot Act of 1872.

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How did the introduction of the secret ballot potentially influence voting patterns for tenant farmers in Ireland in 1874?

Answer: It reduced the threat of eviction, potentially leading to more independent voting.

Explanation: The secret ballot potentially reduced the threat of eviction for tenant farmers in Ireland, thereby enabling them to vote more independently without fear of reprisal from their landlords.

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Who were the first two working-class MPs elected to Parliament, and in which election did this historic event occur?

Answer: Alexander MacDonald and Thomas Burt, in the 1874 election

Explanation: Alexander MacDonald and Thomas Burt were the first two working-class Members of Parliament (MPs), elected during the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

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In the 1874 election, Thomas Burt, one of the first working-class MPs, was elected in which constituency?

Answer: Morpeth

Explanation: Thomas Burt, one of the first working-class MPs, was elected in the constituency of Morpeth during the 1874 general election. Alexander MacDonald was elected in Stafford.

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How many seats did the Irish Home Rule League gain in the 1874 election, establishing their presence as a third party?

Answer: 60

Explanation: The Irish Home Rule League gained 60 seats in the 1874 election, marking a significant increase and establishing them as a major third party in Parliament.

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How many seats did the Liberal-Labour (Lib-Lab) MPs win in Great Britain during the 1874 election?

Answer: Two

Explanation: Two Liberal-Labour (Lib-Lab) MPs were elected in Great Britain during the 1874 election.

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Statistical Analysis and Terminology

Approximately 2.5 million votes were cast in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

Answer: True

Explanation: The total number of votes cast in the 1874 United Kingdom general election was indeed approximately 2.5 million, specifically 2,466,037.

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The Conservative Party secured just over 50% of the popular vote in the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Conservative Party secured 44.27% of the popular vote in the 1874 election, not just over 50%. The Liberal Party secured the majority of the popular vote.

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The Conservative Party's share of the popular vote increased by approximately 9.5 percentage points in the 1874 election compared to the previous one.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Conservative Party's share of the popular vote increased by approximately 5.9 percentage points, not 9.5. The 9.5 percentage point decrease in vote share was experienced by the Liberal Party.

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The Liberal Party fielded more candidates than the Conservative Party in the 1874 election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Conservative Party fielded more candidates (507) than the Liberal Party (489) in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

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The term 'Swing' in election analysis refers to the net gain or loss of seats for a party compared to the previous election.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term 'Swing' in election analysis refers to the change in vote share between parties from one election to another, typically measured in percentage points ('pp'). It does not directly refer to the net gain or loss of seats.

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The 'Others' category in the election results included minor parties and independent candidates who collectively won 4 seats in 1874.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Others' category in the 1874 election results included minor parties and independent candidates, but they collectively won zero seats, despite receiving 2,936 votes.

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What was the approximate total number of votes cast across all parties in the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

Answer: 2.5 million

Explanation: Approximately 2.5 million votes were cast in the 1874 United Kingdom general election, with the precise figure being 2,466,037.

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What percentage of the popular vote did the Liberal Party secure in the 1874 election?

Answer: 51.95%

Explanation: The Liberal Party secured 51.95% of the total popular vote in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

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What does the term 'Swing' measure in the context of election results like those from 1874, and what was the approximate swing for the Conservative Party?

Answer: Change in vote share; +5.6 pp

Explanation: The term 'Swing' measures the change in vote share between parties from one election to another, expressed in percentage points ('pp'). The approximate swing for the Conservative Party in the 1874 election was +5.6 pp.

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The Liberal Party experienced a 'Swing' of -9.2 percentage points in the 1874 election. What does this signify?

Answer: A decrease in their electoral performance relative to the previous election.

Explanation: A 'Swing' of -9.2 percentage points for the Liberal Party signifies a decrease in their electoral performance and vote share compared to the previous election.

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How many candidates did the Conservative Party field in the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

Answer: 507

Explanation: The Conservative Party fielded 507 candidates in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

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What does the 'Seats change' column in the election results tables typically represent?

Answer: The net gain or loss of parliamentary seats for a party compared to the previous election.

Explanation: The 'Seats change' column in election results tables indicates the net gain or loss of parliamentary seats for a party relative to the outcome of the preceding election.

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Legislative and Constituency Adjustments

The 1867 Reform Act strengthened the legislative power of the rural gentry, a trend that became more pronounced in the 1874 election results.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 1867 Reform Act initiated a process that began to erode the legislative power of the rural gentry, rather than strengthening it. This trend was observable in the 1874 election results, particularly in Ireland where landowners lost seats to tenant farmers.

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The constituencies of Beverley and Bridgwater had their seats abolished prior to the 1874 election due to corruption allegations.

Answer: True

Explanation: This statement is accurate. The seats for Beverley and Bridgwater were abolished prior to the 1874 election due to corruption allegations. The constituencies of Sligo Borough and Cashel were also similarly affected.

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In the university constituencies, all seats were contested, and the Liberal Party won a majority.

Answer: False

Explanation: In the university constituencies, all candidates were elected unopposed. The Conservative Party won 7 seats, and the Liberal Party won 2 seats, meaning the Conservatives held the majority in these specific constituencies.

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The 1867 Reform Act is noted for beginning a process that affected the power of landowners. What was this effect observed by the 1874 election?

Answer: It began to erode the legislative power of the rural gentry, with landowners losing seats to tenant farmers in some areas.

Explanation: The 1867 Reform Act initiated a trend that began to diminish the legislative power of the rural gentry. This effect was evident by the 1874 election, particularly in Ireland, where great landowners lost county seats to tenant farmers.

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Which of the following constituencies had its seat abolished prior to the 1874 election due to corruption allegations?

Answer: Sligo Borough

Explanation: The constituency of Sligo Borough had its seat abolished prior to the 1874 election due to corruption allegations. Other constituencies similarly affected were Beverley, Bridgwater, and Cashel.

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In the university constituencies during the 1874 election, what was the outcome?

Answer: The Conservative Party won 7 seats, and the Liberal Party won 2 seats, all unopposed.

Explanation: In the university constituencies during the 1874 election, all candidates were elected unopposed. The Conservative Party secured 7 seats, and the Liberal Party secured 2 seats.

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What was the primary reason cited for the abolition of seats in constituencies like Beverley and Cashel before the 1874 election?

Answer: Allegations of corruption

Explanation: The primary reason cited for the abolition of seats in constituencies such as Beverley and Cashel prior to the 1874 election was allegations of corruption.

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