1873 Berwickshire by-election facts for kids
The 1873 Berwickshire by-election was a special election held in Scotland. It took place on June 27, 1873. This election was needed because the person who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Berwickshire, David Robertson, became a Lord.
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What Was the 1873 Berwickshire By-election?
The 1873 Berwickshire by-election was a political event. It happened in the area of Berwickshire, Scotland. People voted to choose a new representative for their area. This type of election is called a by-election.
Understanding By-elections
A by-election is a special election. It happens when a seat in Parliament becomes empty. This can happen if an MP resigns or passes away. It can also happen if they get a new job, like becoming a Lord. The goal is to quickly choose a new person for that empty seat.
What is an MP?
An MP stands for Member of Parliament. An MP is a person elected by citizens. They represent their local area in the UK Parliament. Their job is to speak for the people in their constituency. They help make laws for the country.
What is a Constituency?
A constituency is an area of a country. People who live in that area vote for one MP. Berwickshire was a constituency in Scotland. It was a specific area that had its own MP.
Why Did This By-election Happen?
This by-election happened because David Robertson, the MP for Berwickshire, became a peer. When someone becomes a peer, they join the House of Lords. This means they can no longer be an MP in the House of Commons. So, his seat in the House of Commons became empty.
Who Was David Robertson?
David Robertson was the MP for Berwickshire. He belonged to the Liberal Party. He was a well-known person in politics. He was later given the title of Baron Marjoribanks. This made him a member of the House of Lords.
Who Won the Election?
The Liberal Party chose a new candidate for the by-election. Their candidate was William Miller. He won the election. This meant he became the new MP for Berwickshire.
Who Was William Miller?
William Miller was also a member of the Liberal Party. After winning the by-election, he took David Robertson's place. He then represented the people of Berwickshire in Parliament.
What Was the Liberal Party?
The Liberal Party was a major political party. It was very important in the United Kingdom during the 1800s. They believed in ideas like free trade and social reforms. Many MPs, like David Robertson and William Miller, were part of this party.
