A DASTARDLY TALE OF DREADFUL DEEDS AND DOWNRIGHT DECEPTION!

This website tells the true story of a little-known event concerning Deal, Walmer and Sandwich that took place in the late nineteenth century.

It relates to an 1880 by-election, where unparalleled bribery and corruption took place, affecting the outcome. Following a Royal Commission enquiry lasting 21 days it was found that out of an electorate of 2115, 1850 voted, of whom 900 admitted they had been bribed and 100 admitted they had bribed. As a result, the election was declared void and the Borough of Sandwich denied the right to vote until the constituency was abolished in 1885.

The names and addresses of the bribers and those they bribed are listed on these pages together with their verbatim testimonies.

The events described will be of interest to local historians, teachers and anyone with connections to Deal, Walmer and Sandwich and the testimonies in particular, to families still living in the area. If you would like more information please get in touch.

A Forest of Flags, Rotten Election 1880 Commissioners Report

The Inquiry

The Inquiry into Corrupt Practices lasted 21 days. Of the 1850 who voted, 900 witnesses admitted to receiving a bribe and over 100 admitted to bribery.

List of Witnesses

Many of those called to testify are locally recognisable names – the ancestors of families still living in Sandwich, Deal and Walmer today.

The Evidence

All 22,000 lines of witness testimony have been transcribed and can be read here. They give a colourful account of 18th century life in the Borough.

the guilty parties

The Parliamentary Borough of Sandwich was just one of many towns and cities across the country to lose its political representation as a result of the sheer scale of the bribery and corruption that took place. Widely regarded as having been one of the worst cases examined and was covered extensively in the national press.

Bribees

Those who received direct payments or extortionate amounts for goods or services supplied

Bribers

Those who were engaged by the election agents to bribe the electorate in one way or another for votes

Treaters

Largely publicans who provided their customers with inducements such as food and drink

GUILTY

Those prosecuted for the most serious corrupt and criminal behaviour during the election.

an 1880 snapshot of Deal, Walmer & Sandwich

Was one of your family living in Deal, Walmer or Sandwich at the time of the 1880 by-election or do you live or own a house in the area?

Use the box below to enter the name of someone who you think may have been involved or the Search page to look up an address or keyword.

The Stage version - A contemporary take

the rotters opera

Acclaimed writer and playwright, Carole Hayman put her own spin on the story to create a musical version showing that corruption is nothing new. 

Full of humour and pathos with a mixture of well known tunes and shanties, this entertaining romp with a contemporary spin, skilfully  portrays the parallels between the politics of then and now. Find out more…