New Romney (UK Parliament constituency)

New Romney was a parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom. It was a constituency of the House of Commons of England, then of Great Britain, and finally of the United Kingdom from 1295 to 1885. Located in the county of Kent, it was a borough constituency, electing two Members of Parliament (MPs) until 1832, and one MP from 1832 to 1885.

Historically, New Romney was one of the Cinque Ports, and its parliamentary representation reflected this status. Like other Cinque Ports, its electorate was relatively small, making it susceptible to influence.

The constituency was abolished under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885. Its territory was largely absorbed into the new constituency of Rye.

Boundaries: The constituency covered the town of New Romney and its immediate surrounding area in Kent. Its boundaries were never precisely defined in parliamentary statutes, but they generally conformed to the municipal limits of the borough.

Franchise: Before the Great Reform Act of 1832, the right to vote was vested in the freemen of the borough who were resident and paying scot and lot (local taxes). This restricted the electorate, leading to accusations of rotten borough status. After 1832, the franchise was broadened to include householders and other property owners, in line with the reforms.

Notable MPs: Some notable individuals represented New Romney in Parliament over the centuries. Their identities and political affiliations varied, reflecting the changing political landscape of the time. (A more comprehensive list would require further research.)

Elections: Records of elections in New Romney exist from the late 13th century onwards. Prior to the secret ballot (introduced in 1872), elections were often public affairs, subject to pressure and bribery. Election results varied significantly over time, reflecting changes in national political sentiment and local interests.