Hull had a large and unruly electorate, and was difficult to classify or control; political questions did not count for much. Government had some influence which, combined with that of the corporation and Trinity House, could usually ensure the return of one Member. Lord Robert Manners, originally a stranger at Hull, held his seat with Government backing for 35 years. A number of local families had an interest: the Crowles, the Thorntons, William Wilberforce, and Sir Henry Etherington. For some years Sir George Savile and Lord Rockingham, mainly because of their local prestige, were able to name one Member (Weddell and Hartley). But the borough was never safe and always expensive. Local merchants were not favoured. Oldfield wrote about it in 1792:1

For upwards of thirty years the candidates have paid the poorer order of voters two guineas for each vote. The number who took money was probably two-thirds of the voters. So established is this species of corruption that the voters regard it as a sort of birthright. Very few of the voters are independent of the higher ranks of people in the town.