Bribery, Corruption and the role of women to bring about change in the 1868 General Election

by the St Luke's Heritage Group for Futures Past

Edwin Bennett - Bribery in Bristol’s Corrupt Election - ‘One in Ten’

‘Beer flowed like water and votes bought in scores’

Edwin Bennett of 9 St Luke’s Road, a stone mason, and his friend, Aaron Styles, also a mason, were headed for the top of the road where it joined the New Cut. Here they were to meet another friend, Albert Hawkens. All three were going to the polling station to cast a vote in a parliamentary bye-election. This was a speial day, as these were newly enfranchised electors – beneficiaries of the 1867 Reform Act, which effectively doubled the male electorate from around 1 in 20 of the population to 1 in 10.

Outside the Mitre Hotel, they were approached by a group of men beckoning the 3 friends to join them for a drink. They were asked as to whom they would vote for at the polls, when they said it would be the Liberal candidate, Samuel Morley, they were each offered 10s (£80) to change to the Tory candidate, John Miles. When they refused, Edwin was offered gold and work contracts. At this time, voting was not by secret ballot, votes had to be publicly declared. Even though this was a strong Liberal seat, Miles’ bribery was a success and he was returned. However, as evidence of his shenanigans grew, he was quickly ejected and replaced by Morley.

During the general election of 1868, voting was still publicly declared, with voters having to reveal who they were voting for. As a consequence, the practice of bribery and corruption was rife as votes were exchanged for money or favour.

The result of a bi-election in Bristol in 1867 was reversed after the extent of corruption by the Tory rep was exposed and he was replaced by the Liberal.

However, public declarations also encouraged women to turn up at polling stations, sometimes in their hundreds, to put pressure on those enfranchised men to vote for the candidate most outwardly sympathetic to reform (usually, the Liberal candidate).

After this election, voting by secret ballot was introduced.