Throughout this period Ludgershall was a pocket borough of the Selwyns of Matson, who owned the manor and a considerable amount of property in the town. The franchise was peculiar, comprising all who owned an ‘estate of inheritance’ in the borough. Ludgershall could never be regarded as absolutely safe, but there was no contest between 1747 and 1791.
George Augustus Selwyn, who controlled the borough from 1751 to 1791, used it as a source of revenue, selling the seats to Administration. His properties were made over to friends, relatives, or dependants, most of whom were strangers to Ludgershall. He seems to have visited the town as little as possible, and his interest suffered in consequence: at the general election of 1790 he had a hard fight to hold both seats.
in freeholders and leaseholders for life
Number of voters: about 100