1839 Speaker of the British House of Commons election explained

Country:Great Britain
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1835 Speaker of the British House of Commons election
Previous Year:1835
Next Election:1895 Speaker of the British House of Commons election
Next Year:1895
Election Date:27 May 1839
1Blank:Candidate's seat
Candidate1:Charles Shaw-Lefevre
Party1:Whigs (British political party)
1Data1:North Hampshire
Popular Vote1:317
Percentage1:51.5%
Candidate2:Henry Goulburn
Party2:Tories (British political party)
1Data2:Cambridge University
Popular Vote2:299
Percentage2:48.5%
Speaker
Before Election:James Abercromby
After Election:Charles Shaw-Lefevre

The 1839 election of the Speaker of the House of Commons occurred on 27 May 1839. James Abercromby had retired due to failing health. The next day he was raised to the peerage as Baron Dunfermline.

Charles Shaw-Lefevre was proposed by Henry Handley and seconded by Stephen Lushington.

Henry Goulburn was proposed by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn and seconded by John Wilson-Patten.

Both candidates addressed the House.

On the motion that Shaw-Lefevre take the Chair, he was elected by 317 votes to 299, a majority of 18.

References