biography text
As soon as he came of age, Sturt was returned for Bridport, where his family still commanded influence. A month before he had joined Brooks’s Club under Whig sponsorship. He was unopposed, but withdrew in 1820, when a contest was certain, having disappointed some of his supporters by not voting more often with opposition. His only known votes were against Catholic relief, 9 May 1817; for the suspension of habeas corpus, 23 June 1817; with the majority critical of the ducal marriage grants, 15 Apr. 1818, and, in the ensuing Parliament, for the extension of the franchise at Penryn, again with the majority, 22 June 1819. He died 14 Apr. 1866.1Dorset RO D43/X2, Colfox to Sturt, 17 June 1817.