United Kingdom general election, 1865

United Kingdom general election, 1865

11–24 July 1865
All 658 seats to the House of Commons 330 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party   Leader The Viscount Palmerston The Earl of Derby Party Liberal Conservative Leader since 12 June 1859 July 1846 Leader's seat Tiverton Earl of Derby Last election 356 seats, 65.7% 298 seats, 34.3% Seats won 369 289 Seat change 13 9 Popular vote 508,821 346,035 Percentage 59.5% 40.5% Swing 6.2% 6.2%
PM before election Lord Palmerston Liberal Subsequent PM Lord Palmerston Liberal

1857 election • MPs

1859 election • MPs

1865 election • MPs

1868 election • MPs

1874 election • MPs

The 1865 United Kingdom general election saw the Liberals, led by Lord Palmerston, increase their large majority over the Earl of Derby's Conservatives to more than 80. The Whig Party changed its name to the Liberal Party between the previous election and this one.

Palmerston died later in the same year and was succeeded by Lord John Russell as Prime Minister.

This was the last United Kingdom general election where a party increased its majority after having been returned to office at the previous election with a reduced majority.

Results

↓

369	289
Liberal	Conservative

United Kingdom General Election 1865
		Candidates						Votes
Party		Standing	Elected	Gained	Unseated	Net	% of total	%	No.	Net %
	Liberal	516	369			+ 13	56.1	59.5	508,821	- 6.2
	Conservative	406	289			- 9	43.9	40.5	346,035	+ 6.2

Total votes: 854,856

References

• F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987
• Crewe, Ivor. "New Labour's Hegemony: Extension or Erosion?" Bartle, John and King, Anthony. Britain at the Polls 2005. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press, 2006. p. 204
• British Electoral Facts 1832-1999, compiled and edited by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher (Ashgate Publishing Ltd 2000)
• Spartacus: Political Parties and Election Results