What were the dates of the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

The 1874 United Kingdom general election took place from January 31 to February 17, 1874. This period marks the timeframe during which the voting occurred across the constituencies.

What was the overall outcome of the 1874 general election in terms of popular vote versus seat majority?

Although the Liberal Party received the majority of the popular votes cast in the 1874 United Kingdom general election, Benjamin Disraeli's Conservative Party won a majority of seats in the House of Commons. This outcome was significantly influenced by the number of uncontested seats that the Conservatives held.

How did the 1874 election represent a significant victory for the Conservative Party?

The 1874 election marked the first outright electoral victory for the Conservative Party since Robert Peel's win in 1841, over thirty years prior. While there had been minority Conservative governments in the interim, this election secured them a clear majority.

Which political group became a notable third party in Parliament after the 1874 election?

The Irish Home Rule League emerged as a significant third political party in Parliament following the 1874 general election. They achieved considerable success, winning 60 out of the 101 seats designated for Ireland.

What was a key electoral reform introduced in the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

The 1874 United Kingdom general election was the first to implement the use of a secret ballot. This reform followed the Secret Ballot Act of 1872, which aimed to reduce the influence of landlords and employers over voters.

How might the Secret Ballot Act have influenced the results in Ireland in 1874?

The introduction of the secret ballot in the 1874 election may have contributed to the gains made by Irish Nationalists. The secret ballot reduced the threat of eviction for tenants who voted against their landlords' wishes, potentially leading to more independent voting patterns.

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

The first two working-class Members of Parliament (MPs) were elected in the 1874 United Kingdom general election. They were Alexander MacDonald and Thomas Burt, both associated with the Miners' Union and elected as Liberal-Labour MPs.

In which constituencies were the first working-class MPs, Alexander MacDonald and Thomas Burt, elected?

Alexander MacDonald was elected as a Liberal-Labour MP in Stafford, and Thomas Burt was elected in Morpeth during the 1874 general election. These elections marked a significant step in the representation of the working class in Parliament.

How did the 1867 Reform Act relate to changes observed in the 1874 election, particularly concerning landowners?

The 1867 Reform Act had begun to erode the legislative power previously held by the rural gentry. This trend was evident in the 1874 election, especially in Ireland, where many great landowners lost their county seats to tenant farmers.

Why is the 1874 election unique in the context of the secret ballot and popular vote majorities?

The 1874 election is unique because it is the only time since the introduction of the secret ballot that a UK party (the Liberals) was defeated despite winning an absolute majority of the popular vote. This anomaly was primarily due to a large number of Conservative candidates being elected unopposed.

What was the total number of seats in the House of Commons contested in the 1874 general election, and how many were needed for a majority?

The 1874 United Kingdom general election involved all 652 seats in the House of Commons. A total of 327 seats were required to form a majority government.

How many MPs were elected in total in 1874, and how did this compare to the previous election?

A total of 652 MPs were elected in the 1874 general election. This was six fewer than the number elected in the preceding 1868 election.

Which constituencies had their seats abolished prior to the 1874 election due to corruption allegations?

Prior to the 1874 election, the constituencies of Beverley and Sligo Borough (held by Conservatives), and Bridgwater and Cashel (held by Liberals) had their seats abolished. These actions were taken following allegations of corruption.

Who were the leaders of the Conservative and Liberal parties during the 1874 election?

Benjamin Disraeli led the Conservative Party, and William Ewart Gladstone led the Liberal Party during the 1874 United Kingdom general election. Disraeli's Conservatives ultimately won the majority of seats.

What was the total voter turnout in the 1874 United Kingdom general election?

The total number of votes cast in the 1874 United Kingdom general election was 2,466,037.

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

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

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

The Conservative Party secured 44.27% of the total popular vote in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

How many seats did the Conservative Party win in the 1874 election, and what was their seat change compared to the previous election?

The Conservative Party won 350 seats in the 1874 election. This represented a net increase of 79 seats compared to the previous election.

How many seats did the Liberal Party win in the 1874 election, and what was their seat change compared to the previous election?

The Liberal Party won 242 seats in the 1874 election. This was a decrease of 145 seats compared to the previous election.

How many seats did the Home Rule League win in the 1874 election, and what was their seat change?

The Home Rule League won 60 seats in the 1874 election. This represented a significant increase of 60 seats, as they were a newly formed significant third party in Parliament.

What was the total number of votes cast for the Liberal Party in the 1874 election?

The Liberal Party received 1,281,159 votes in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

What was the total number of votes cast for the Conservative Party in the 1874 election?

The Conservative Party received 1,091,708 votes in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

What was the total number of votes cast for the Home Rule League in the 1874 election?

The Home Rule League received 90,234 votes in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

How did the Conservative Party's seat count change in Great Britain during the 1874 election?

In Great Britain, the Conservative Party won 319 seats, which was an increase of 85 seats compared to the previous election. They received 1,000,006 votes in this region.

How did the Liberal Party's seat count change in Great Britain during the 1874 election?

In Great Britain, the Liberal Party won 230 seats, a decrease of 93 seats. They received a combined total of 1,241,381 votes in Great Britain, alongside the Lib-Lab candidates.

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

Two Liberal-Labour (Lib-Lab) MPs were elected in Great Britain during the 1874 election. These seats represented an increase of two for the Lib-Lab affiliation.

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

In Scotland during the 1874 election, the Liberal Party won 40 seats, while the Conservative Party won 18 seats. The Liberals saw a decrease of 11 seats, whereas the Conservatives gained 11 seats in Scotland.

What was the outcome for the Liberal and Conservative parties in Wales during the 1874 election?

In Wales in 1874, the Liberal Party won 19 seats, a decrease of 4 seats, while the Conservative Party won 14 seats, an increase of 4 seats. The Liberals secured 60.9% of the vote in Wales, and the Conservatives secured 39.1%.

What was the dominant political force in Ireland following the 1874 general election?

The Home Rule League was the dominant political force in Ireland after the 1874 general election, winning 60 seats. The Irish Conservative Party secured 31 seats, and the Liberal Party won 10 seats in Ireland.

How did the vote share for the Home Rule League compare to other parties in Ireland in 1874?

In Ireland, the Home Rule League received 39.6% of the vote, the Irish Conservative Party received 40.8%, and the Liberal Party received 18.4%. Although the Conservatives received slightly more votes, the Home Rule League secured the largest number of seats.

What was the result for university constituencies in the 1874 election?

In the university constituencies, the Conservative Party won 7 seats, an increase of 1, and the Liberal Party won 2 seats, a decrease of 1. All candidates in these constituencies were elected unopposed.

Who was the Prime Minister before the 1874 election, and who became Prime Minister after it?

William Gladstone of the Liberal Party was the Prime Minister before the 1874 election. Following the election results, Benjamin Disraeli of the Conservative Party became the Prime Minister.

What was the net change in seats for the Conservative Party in the 1874 election?

The Conservative Party experienced a net increase of 79 seats in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

What was the net change in seats for the Liberal Party in the 1874 election?

The Liberal Party experienced a net decrease of 145 seats in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

What was the percentage change in the popular vote for the Conservative Party in 1874 compared to the previous election?

The Conservative Party saw a net increase of 5.9 percentage points in their share of the popular vote in the 1874 election compared to the previous one.

What was the percentage change in the popular vote for the Liberal Party in 1874 compared to the previous election?

The Liberal Party saw a net decrease of 9.5 percentage points in their share of the popular vote in the 1874 election compared to the previous one.

How many candidates stood for the Conservative Party in the 1874 election?

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

How many candidates stood for the Liberal Party in the 1874 election?

The Liberal Party fielded 489 candidates in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

How many candidates stood for the Home Rule League in the 1874 election?

The Home Rule League fielded 80 candidates in the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

What does the color coding in the election results tables typically represent?

In the election results tables, color coding is used to visually distinguish the major political parties. For instance, yellow often represents the Liberal Party, blue the Conservative Party, and green the Home Rule League, indicating their respective successes.

What does the term 'Seats change' signify in the election tables?

The 'Seats change' column in the election tables indicates the net gain or loss of parliamentary seats for a particular party compared to the results of the previous general election. An upward-pointing arrow signifies an increase, while a downward-pointing arrow signifies a decrease.

What does 'pp' stand for in the context of the 'Swing' data?

In the context of the 'Swing' data, 'pp' stands for percentage points. It measures the change in the vote share between two parties from one election to another.

What was the 'Swing' for the Liberal Party in the 1874 election?

The Liberal Party experienced a swing of -9.2 percentage points in the 1874 election, indicating a decrease in their electoral performance relative to the previous election.

What was the 'Swing' for the Conservative Party in the 1874 election?

The Conservative Party experienced a swing of +5.6 percentage points in the 1874 election, indicating an improvement in their electoral performance relative to the previous election.

What was the significance of the 'Others' category in the election results?

The 'Others' category in the election results typically includes minor parties or independent candidates who did not win any seats. In the 1874 election, four candidates stood under this category, receiving 2,936 votes but winning no seats.

How many seats did the Liberal Party win in England in 1874?

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

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

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

What was the total number of seats contested in Wales in the 1874 election?

There were 33 seats contested in Wales during the 1874 United Kingdom general election.

How many seats did the Home Rule League win in Ireland in 1874?

The Home Rule League won 60 seats in Ireland during the 1874 general election.

What was the total number of seats contested in Ireland in the 1874 election?

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

1874 United Kingdom General Election Wiki: The 1874 Electoral Verdict: Britain's Parliament Reimagined

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Election Overview

A Pivotal Moment

The 1874 United Kingdom general election, held between January 31 and February 17, 1874, marked a significant shift in British political history. It was the first general election to be conducted under the Secret Ballot Act of 1872, fundamentally altering the dynamics of voter influence and electoral integrity.¹

Unexpected Outcome

Despite the Liberal Party securing a majority of the popular vote, Benjamin Disraeli's Conservative Party achieved a decisive victory in terms of seats. This outcome was largely influenced by the number of uncontested seats held by the Conservatives, a phenomenon amplified by the new secret ballot system which reduced landlord intimidation.¹

Shifting Power

This election represented the first outright Conservative majority since 1841, ending over thirty years of Liberal dominance or minority Conservative governments. The election also witnessed the emergence of the Home Rule League as a significant third party, particularly in Ireland, and the historic election of the first two working-class Members of Parliament.¹

Election Results

Overall Summary

The election returned 652 Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons. A total of 2,466,037 votes were cast across the nation. The Conservatives secured a commanding majority, while the Liberals saw a substantial reduction in their representation.

The following table summarizes the performance of the major parties:

UK General Election 1874
Candidates						Votes
Stood	Elected	Gained	Unseated	Net	% of total	%	No.	Net %
	Liberal	489	242			−139	37.12%	51.95%	1,281,159	−9.5 pp
	Conservative	507	350			+79	53.68%	44.27%	1,091,708	+5.9 pp
	Home Rule	80	60	0	0	+60	9.20%	3.66%	90,234	N/A
	Others	4	0	0	0	0	0.00%	0.12%	2,936	0.0 pp

Total votes cast: 2,466,037

Summary of Parliamentary Seats:

Parliamentary seats
Party	Seats	%
Liberal	242	37.12%
Conservative	350	53.68%
Home Rule	60	9.20%

Regional Performance

The election results varied significantly across the constituent countries of the United Kingdom. While the Conservatives dominated in England and Scotland, the Home Rule League made substantial gains in Ireland.

Great Britain Results

Party	Seats	Seats Change	Votes	%
	Conservative	319	⬆️85	1,000,006	44.6%
	Liberal	230	⬇️93	1,241,381	55.4%
	Lib-Lab	2	⬆️2	1,241,381	55.4%
	Other	0		2	0.0%
Total		551	⬇️4	2,241,389	100%

Scotland Results

Party	Seats	Seats Change	Votes	%
	Liberal	40	⬇️11	148,345	68.4%
	Conservative	18	⬆️11	63,193	31.6%
Total		58	↔️	211,538	100%

Wales Results

Party	Seats	Seats Change	Votes	%
	Liberal	19	⬇️4	57,768	60.9%
	Conservative	14	⬆️4	31,574	39.1%
Total		33	↔️	89,342	100%

Ireland Results

Party	Seats	Seats Change	Votes	%
	Home Rule	60	⬆️60	90,234	39.6%
	Irish Conservative	31	⬇️6	91,702	40.8%
	Liberal	10	⬇️56	39,778	18.4%
	Other	0		2,934	1.2%
Total		101	⬇️2	224,648	100%

University Constituencies Results

Party	Seats	Seats Change	Votes	%
	Conservative	7	⬆️1
	Liberal	2	⬇️1
Total		9	↔️	100%

Note: University constituencies elected candidates unopposed.

Key Political Parties

Conservative Party

Led by Benjamin Disraeli, the Conservatives achieved a significant victory, securing a majority in the House of Commons. Their success was attributed to strategic campaigning and the advantage gained from numerous uncontested seats, which bolstered their overall seat count despite a lower share of the popular vote compared to the Liberals.

Liberal Party

Under the leadership of William Ewart Gladstone, the Liberals won the largest share of the popular vote but fell short in terms of parliamentary seats. The election marked a decline in their previous dominance, influenced by factors such as the impact of the secret ballot on voter choices and the rise of other political forces.

Home Rule League

This election saw the Home Rule League emerge as a substantial third party, winning 60 seats primarily in Ireland. Their success underscored the growing demand for Irish self-governance and significantly altered the parliamentary arithmetic, making them a key group to consider in future political calculations.

Liberal-Labour

A notable development was the election of the first two working-class MPs, Alexander MacDonald and Thomas Burt, representing the Miners' Union. They were elected as Liberal-Labour candidates, signaling the increasing political influence of organized labor.

Voting & Reforms

The Secret Ballot

The 1874 election was the first UK general election conducted using a secret ballot, mandated by the Secret Ballot Act of 1872. This reform aimed to protect voters from intimidation and coercion, particularly from landlords and employers, allowing them to cast their vote freely without fear of reprisal. This shift is believed to have contributed to the gains made by the Home Rule League in Ireland, as tenants could vote against their landlords' wishes.

Electoral Landscape

The election also reflected the ongoing impact of the 1867 Reform Act, which had expanded the franchise. In Ireland, the election saw a notable loss of seats for the landed gentry, with tenant farmers increasingly electing their own representatives, highlighting a changing social and political order.

Uncontested Seats Anomaly

A peculiar aspect of this election was the significant number of uncontested seats held by the Conservatives. While the Liberals secured more individual votes nationwide, the Conservatives' ability to win outright in many constituencies without a contest allowed them to form a majority government. This highlights how the distribution of votes and the number of seats won can differ significantly from the popular vote share, especially under first-past-the-post systems.

Significance & Legacy

Conservative Ascendancy

The Conservative victory marked a return to power for the party with a clear majority, ending a period of political uncertainty. Benjamin Disraeli's government would implement various reforms, focusing on social issues and public health.

Irish Representation

The substantial gains by the Home Rule League underscored the persistent demand for Irish autonomy. Their presence as a significant bloc in Parliament ensured that the issue of Irish governance remained a central concern in British politics for years to come.

Rise of Labour

The election of Alexander MacDonald and Thomas Burt as Liberal-Labour MPs represented a landmark moment. It was the first time individuals directly representing working-class interests, specifically trade unions, entered Parliament, laying the groundwork for future labour movements and political parties.

Electoral Reform

The successful implementation of the secret ballot demonstrated its effectiveness in promoting fairer elections. This reform was a crucial step towards modernizing the electoral process and empowering individual voters, setting a precedent for future democratic advancements.

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References

The seat and vote count figures for the Liberals given here include the Speaker of the House of Commons

William Henry Maehl, "Gladstone, the Liberals, and the Election of 1874", Historical Research (1963), 36#93: 53â69.

David F. Krein, "The Great Landowners in the House of Commons, 1833â85." Parliamentary History 32.3 (2013): 460-476.

A full list of references for this article are available at the 1874 United Kingdom general election Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional historical, political, or electoral consultation. Always refer to official historical records and consult with qualified professionals for specific research needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

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The 1874 Electoral Verdict

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Election Overview ℹ️

🗓️ A Pivotal Moment

⚖️ Unexpected Outcome

📈 Shifting Power

Election Results 📊

🗳️ Overall Summary

🗺️ Regional Performance

Great Britain Results

Scotland Results

Wales Results

Ireland Results

University Constituencies Results

Key Political Parties 🏛️

🔵 Conservative Party

🟡 Liberal Party

☘️ Home Rule League

👨‍🏭 Liberal-Labour

Voting & Reforms ✒️

🤫 The Secret Ballot

📜 Electoral Landscape

❓ Uncontested Seats Anomaly

Significance & Legacy 🚀

👑 Conservative Ascendancy

🇮🇪 Irish Representation

👷 Rise of Labour

⚖️ Electoral Reform

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Election Overview

A Pivotal Moment

Unexpected Outcome

Shifting Power

Election Results

Overall Summary

Regional Performance

Key Political Parties

Conservative Party

Liberal Party

Home Rule League

Liberal-Labour

Voting & Reforms

The Secret Ballot

Electoral Landscape

Uncontested Seats Anomaly

Significance & Legacy

Conservative Ascendancy

Irish Representation

Rise of Labour

Electoral Reform

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice