Recruiter election facts for kids

Recruiter elections were special elections held in England during the 1600s. These elections helped fill empty spots in the House of Commons. The word 'recruit' simply meant 'to fill a vacant spot'. So, a recruiter member of parliament was someone who won their seat in a special election, often called a by-election.

What Were Recruiter Elections?

For about 20 years, from 1640 to 1660, England did not have any big national elections. This was during the time of the English Civil War and the Interregnum. The last big election was in 1640, and the next one was not until 1660.

Why Were They Needed?

During this long period, many seats in the Long and Rump Parliament became empty. This happened for a few reasons. Some members of Parliament died. Others were forced out. For example, many members who supported the King (called Royalists) were removed. Later, other groups, like the Levellers and Puritan members, were also forced out during an event called Pride's Purge. When these seats became empty, recruiter elections were held to choose new members.

How Were Recruiter Elections Different?

It seems that these recruiter elections were carefully planned. Some historians believe that these elections changed how politics worked in England. Before, elections were often about who you knew or who your family supported. But the recruiter elections might have been the start of something new: elections becoming more about political parties and their ideas.