Wells

Elections at Wells were controlled by the corporation, a Tory body, who could manipulate the franchise by creating honorary freemen and through the power of the mayor as returning officer to decide who was entitled to vote. At every election but that of 1741, which was compromised, there was a contest on party lines, resulting in the return of the opposition candidates, followed by a petition from the unsuccessful government candidates, alleging partiality and malpractices on the part of the returning officer. Except in 1719, 1722, and 1747, when the sitting Members were allowed to retain their seats, the petitioners were seated by the use of the ministerial majority. In 1735, when William Piers and George Speke were awarded the seats, the Court, Edward Harley writes, ‘were so angry’ at losing divisions on the right of election at Wells that

they summoned their whole force and all their troops, being resolved to carry their Members though they had lost that city. Note Mr. Piers was never chose by this city, yet had been twice duly elected by the House of Commons.1Harly Diary, 25 Mar. 1735.