William Betts (MP) facts for kids

William Betts (who passed away in 1738) was an important British businessman and politician from Epsom, Surrey. He was a member of the Whig Party, a political group that believed in a strong Parliament and limited power for the king. Betts served in the House of Commons, which is like the main law-making body in Britain, between 1710 and 1730.

Betts grew up in the family of George Dodington in Dorset. We don't know much about his early life, but he became a very successful businessman in London. He made a lot of money as a financier, which means he managed large sums of money, and by being a director on the boards of various companies.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

William Betts wanted to become a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. This was a tough journey for him.

Early Attempts and Challenges

• In the 1710 election, he won a seat after a close competition.
• However, his election was cancelled on March 17, 1711. This happened because there were claims that he had offered money or gifts to voters, which is called bribery.
• A special election was held on April 18, 1711. Betts won again, getting the most votes.
• But he was removed from his seat again on May 22, 1711. This was due to a "petition," which is a formal complaint, likely about how the election was run.
• Around the same time, in May 1711, he became a Director of the East India Company. This was a very powerful trading company.
• He also owned about £4,000 worth of shares in the Bank of England, showing how wealthy he was.
• In the 1713 election, he was elected MP for Weymouth for the third time.
• However, he was removed from his seat once more on June 3, 1714. This happened after he voted against removing another MP, Richard Steele, from Parliament.

A More Stable Time in Parliament

Despite his early difficulties, William Betts finally secured his seat in Parliament.

• In the 1715 election, he was elected for Weymouth again.
• This time, he managed to keep his seat for the entire period that Parliament was in session.
• He often voted with the Dodington family's political interests.
• Betts voted against a law called the "septennial bill," which changed how often elections were held.
• However, he voted with the government to cancel the "Occasional Conformity" and "Schism Acts." These were laws that limited the rights of certain religious groups.
• He also voted against the "Peerage Bill," which would have limited the number of new noble titles.
• In the 1722 election, he was re-elected without anyone running against him.

End of His Political Career

William Betts continued to serve in Parliament for several more years.

• In the 1727 election, he won his seat again after another competition.
• In 1729, he did not vote on a matter concerning money owed to the King, known as "civil list arrears."
• By 1730, Betts was becoming unwell and found it hard to attend Parliament.
• A man named Knox Ward filed a complaint, saying Betts's election should be cancelled because of technical reasons.
• Betts himself said that the voters should have a chance to choose someone else.
• He decided not to run in the special election that followed.

Later Life and Legacy

William Betts never married. He passed away on March 14, 1738. In his will, he left money to several people:

• £5,000 to George Bubb Dodington, who was a nephew of George Dodington.
• £2,000 to Thomas Wyndham, another nephew of George Dodington.
• £1,000 to John Tucker.