1705 English general election

1705 English general election
← 1702 7 May – 6 June 1705 1708 (GB) →
All 513 seats in the House of Commons
257 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party
 
Leader Duke of Marlborough Whig Junto
Party Tory Whig
Seats won 260 233
Seat change Decrease38 Increase49
House of Commons after election (Whigs-orange, Tories-blue)
English Parliament of General Election  1705

The 1705 English general election saw contests in 110 constituencies in England and Wales, roughly 41% of the total. The election was fiercely fought, with mob violence and cries of "Church in Danger" occurring in several boroughs. During the previous session of Parliament the Tories had become increasingly unpopular, and their position was therefore somewhat weakened by the election, particularly by the Tackers controversy. Due to the uncertain loyalty of a group of 'moderate' Tories led by Robert Harley, the parties were roughly balanced in the House of Commons following the election, encouraging the Whigs to demand a greater share in the government led by Marlborough