List of elections of Scottish representative peers facts for kids
After the Acts of Union 1707, Scotland and England joined to form Great Britain. This meant that the Scottish Parliament would no longer exist. Instead, Scotland would send representatives to the new British Parliament in Westminster.
Part of this new system meant that Scottish nobles, known as the peerage of Scotland, would elect some of their own to sit in the House of Lords. These elected nobles were called Scottish representative peers. They were chosen during general elections, which happened each time a new Parliament began. If a seat became empty between elections, a special "by-election" was held to fill it. This system of electing Scottish peers ended in 1963 when the Peerage Act 1963 allowed all Scottish nobles to have a permanent seat in the House of Lords.
The very first election for Scottish representative peers took place on 15 February 1707. It happened at the Parliament House, Edinburgh. This was just before the Parliament of Scotland closed down for good on 25 March 1707. At the same time, other Scottish representatives were chosen for the British House of Commons.
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How Scottish Peers Were Chosen
For over 250 years, Scottish nobles gathered to elect their representatives. These elections were important events.
Who Voted?
Only Scottish nobles (peers) could vote in these elections. They would gather in a specific place to cast their votes.
Where Did Elections Happen?
Most elections took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. This historic palace was a fitting location for such an important event. Sometimes, elections were held at other places like the Burgh Room or the Court of Exchequer. Later, some elections also happened at Parliament House, Edinburgh.
Who Ran the Elections?
Special officials were in charge of making sure the elections were fair and organized. These officials were often important legal figures. For a long time, two Clerks of Session oversaw the process. Later, the Lord Clerk Register, a high-ranking Scottish official, took on this role. Sometimes, a Deputy Clerk Register also helped.
How Many Peers Attended?
The number of Scottish nobles who attended these elections varied. Sometimes, many peers would show up, while at other times, fewer would be present. For example, in 1708, 57 peers attended the general election. In contrast, a by-election in 1869 only had 2 peers present.
The End of the Elections
The system of electing Scottish representative peers continued until the Peerage Act 1963. This new law changed things significantly. After 1963, all Scottish nobles who held a hereditary title were allowed to sit in the House of Lords automatically. This meant there was no longer a need for special elections.
