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Poll Book for the South Nottinghamshire election, 1846
East Midlands Special Collection Not 1.F26.E46

This poll book provides a complete record of what happened at the South Nottinghamshire by-election, held at Newark-on-Trent on 24-25 February 1846. It contains an account of the events leading up to the election, and reports of the speeches made by the candidates. The two candidates nominated for election were the sitting member of Parliament, Henry Pelham-Clinton, Earl of Lincoln (1811-1864), and his opponent Thomas Blackborne Thoroton-Hildyard (1821-1888) of Flintham Hall.

Dramatic political circumstances prompted the poll. The Irish potato famine led the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel, to decide to repeal the Corn Laws. The Corn Laws had given farmers economic protection from free-trade on agricultural goods such as corn and wheat. Several ministers resigned following Peel's decision. The Earl of Lincoln was appointed as the new Chief Secretary to Ireland. When ministers were appointed to a new office they immediately had to fight another election to secure the support of their constituents.

South Nottinghamshire was a constituency in which the property, influence and power of the aristocracy and gentry was considered to be particularly important. It was also a constituency based on agriculture and rural occupations. The 4th Duke of Newcastle under Lyne was one of the principal sources of power, wealth and influence in the constituency. His political views could not be ignored. He was one of the people whose support would be necessary if Lord Lincoln – his eldest son - was to be re-elected. However, at this time, Newcastle and his son were on poor personal terms. In part this was because Lincoln was a well-known supporter of Peel's government and its measures of reform. Whilst some disagreement between father and son was always likely, the fact that Lincoln had accepted a major public office in the government increased the potential for personal rivalry during the by-election.