Spencer Perceval (1809-1812) - Prime Minister - Parliament

Spencer Perceval was born in 1782 and educated at Cambridge before becoming a lawyer. He was initially elected as the MP for Northampton and gradually worked his way up under William Pitt and the Tory party. Perceval was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Portland and following his death he took up the offer by the King to become Prime Minister.

His period in office coincided with economic depression and great industrial unrest, which resulted in him introducing repressive methods – namely, the Frame-Breaking Act which made the destruction of machines a capital offence. Perceval did hold the post until 1812 though, when he became the only Prime Minister n British history to be assassinated.

He was shot by John Bellingham as he entered the Lobby of the House of Commons. Reportedly Bellingham was a failed businessman from Liverpool who blamed Perceval for his financial ruin.

Perceval on corrupt electoral practices:
"I have nothing to say to the nothing that has been said"

"Inadvertance is certainly never felt by me as an excuse"