1780

Transcription completed by the London Electoral History 1700-1850 project, undertaken by Penelope J. Corfield, Edmund M. Green, and Charles Harvey.

Dates: Thursday 7 Sept.-Saturday 23 Sept. 1780.

Poll book reference: Copy of the poll... (London: W. Richardson, 1780) / London Metropolitan Archives, WR/PP 1780.

Candidates: Sir George Brydges Rodney (Government); Charles James Fox (Opposition Whig); and Thomas Pelham Clinton, earl of Lincoln (Government).

Sir George Brydges Rodney of Great Alresford came from a junior branch of the duke of Chandos's family. He had previously served as MP for Saltash, Okehampton, Penryn, and Northampton before setting his sights on Westminster. He had previously been supported in his political career by the duke of Bedford, but by 1780 was supported by Lord North.

Thomas Pelham Clinton, the earl of Lincoln, was the son of the 2nd duke of Newcastle, a significant landowner in Westminster. He was once more supported by the Government, which paid £8,000 towards his election expenses. Fox described Lord Lincoln, 'from connexion and from avowed principle one of the strongest adherents to the present minister and his measures'.

Charles James Fox was the son of Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland; a notable opponent to George III; and supported by the duke of Bedford. Fox's campaign put up 'a most formidable opposition [against Sir George Brydges Rodney], headed by one of the ablest and most popular men in the kingdom'.

The election returned Fox and Rodney for the constituency, the last in which family interests determined the outcome of Westminster's elections.