1826

Dates: Tuesday 21 Feb.-Tuesday 7 Mar. 1826.

Poll book reference: The Northumberland poll book... (Alnwick: W. Davison, 1826).

Alongside the poll book for the by-election of 1826, this volume reproduces the Northumberland poll books for the general elections of 1748 and 1774 (pp. 1-50, 143-192). In addition, it prints 'a complete collection of the papers' produced during the 1774 election (pp. 51-142) and the by-election of 1826 (pp. 193-249).

By-election triggered by the death of Charles John Brandling, who had served as MP for Newcastle and then Knight of the Shire for Northumberland.

Candidates: Lord Howick (Whig), Matthew Bell (Liverpool Tory) and Hon. Henry Thomas Liddell (Canningite Tory).

Hon. Henry Thomas Liddell, the son the 1st Baron Ravensworth, a coal owner and favourite at the court of George IV, declared his intention to stand immediately after Brandling's death. He had previously sat as Knight of the Shire for Durham County from 1806 to 1807. He worked with Tory Matthew Bell to maintain the Tory interest during the by-election,

Lord Howick was the son of Lord Grey, a leading Whig. However, he withdrew early in the polling.

Matthew, 'Honest Matty' Bell of Woolsington was one of the 'Great Northern coal owners', serving as sheriff for Northumberland from 1816 to 1817. He was also the nephew of Charles Brandling, who had recently died. His family organised a costly campaign which lasted through the 13 days of polling. He supported Prime Minister Lord Liverpool and stood against Catholic emancipation. He joined the campaign the day after his uncle's funeral, the 11th day of the poll.

The election returned Matthew Bell, who narrowly beat Liddell. Election expenses mounted at £9,000 for Lord Howick and £3,000 per day for Liddell and Bell. Following the election, a procession of 44 carriages for Liddell passed through Newcastle, prompting supporters to raise a subscription to return him. The election was contested, but the result was upheld.