Elgin Burghs (UK Parliament constituency)

Elgin Burghs was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament (MP) from 1708 until 1918.

History

The constituency was a district of burghs, consisting of the parliamentary burghs of Elgin, Banff, Cullen, Inverurie, and Kintore. It was created in 1708 as a result of the Acts of Union 1707, merging the Parliament of Scotland and the Parliament of England into the Parliament of Great Britain. It was abolished in 1918, with its constituent burghs being absorbed into a new county constituency named Moray and Nairn.

Boundaries

The boundaries of the burghs making up the constituency remained relatively stable throughout its existence. Elgin was the most significant burgh in the group. The remoteness of some of the burghs and difficulties in transport could sometimes impact the dynamics of the election.

Franchise

Prior to the Reform Act 1832, the franchise in the burghs was restricted to a small number of individuals, often members of the town councils. The 1832 Act expanded the franchise, but it remained relatively limited compared to later reforms.

Political Character

Over the years, the political allegiance of the Elgin Burghs MP varied, with representation from Whigs, Liberals, and Conservatives at different times. Local issues and personalities often played a significant role in election outcomes.

Abolition

The Representation of the People Act 1918 abolished the Elgin Burghs constituency and redistributed its constituent parts into county divisions. This was part of a broader reform of the electoral system aimed at creating more equal representation and simplifying constituency boundaries.