Under George I and George II the chief interests in Worcestershire were those of the 5th and 6th Earls of Coventry, lord lieutenants of the county, Whigs, and of the 1st and 2nd Lords Foley of Witley, Tories. After a contest in 1715, when one of the former Tory Members, Sir John Pakington, was returned, but the other, Samuel Pytts, was defeated by a Whig, the next two elections were compromised, each party taking one seat. In 1734 two Tories, Sir Herbert Pakington and Edmund Lechmere, were returned, the government candidate, Sir Thomas Lyttelton, giving up a week before the poll on account of lukewarm support from Lord Coventry, who had gone into opposition.
Never was greater expense than Lord Foley’s has been upon this occasion, and to do justice to our adversaries, never was there more industry, or better management. Lord Deerhurst’s diligence was equal to theirs, and his expense not much less, but he was not near so well served by his agents. To conclude, we are entirely routed, Lord Foley is master of the county.
Geo. Lyttelton to Wm. Pitt, 23 May 1741, Chatham mss.
In 1747, when Lechmere refused to stand, Lord Coventry’s second son was returned unopposed with Pytts, their families continuing to share the representation till 1761.
Number of voters: about 4000