Thetford (UK Parliament constituency)


Thetford was a constituency of the British House of Commons. It elected two Members of Parliament by the bloc vote system of election. It was disenfranchised under the Representation of the People Act 1868, which had resulted in a net increase of seven seats in Scotland, offset by the disenfranchisement of seven English Boroughs.
Below are those MPs who held the seat from just prior to the Restoration onwards.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1529–1660

MPs 1660–1868

FitzRoy family

Due to the town's close proximity to Euston Hall, the seat for Thetford has been held by various members of the family:

Elections in the 1830s

FitzRoy's death caused a by-election.

Elections in the 1840s

Due to the triple return, on petition, one vote was knocked off FitzRoy's total and Flower was declared elected in 1842.
Baring was appointed Paymaster General, requiring a by-election.
Baring succeeded to the peerage, becoming 2nd Baron Ashburton and causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1850s

Baring resigned, causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1860s

FitzRoy succeeded to the peerage, becoming 6th Duke of Grafton and causing a by-election.
Baring resigned, causing a by-election.