Technically Southwark was a City of London ward, named Bridge Ward Without, subject to the lord mayor whose bailiff was the returning officer. No one permanent predominant interest could be established in this populous urban constituency; and its politics were affected to some extent by London radicalism. Throughout the period 1754-1790 Southwark was invariably represented by local business men or by City merchants and bankers. William Hammond and Henry Thrale were Southwark brewers, and Joseph Mawbey was a Southwark distiller. Nathaniel Polhill was a tobacco merchant in the borough and a banker in London. William Belchier and Henry Thornton were London bankers; and Sir Barnard Turner and Paul Le Mesurier, London aldermen. Richard Hotham had started as a hatter at Southwark, and next became an East India merchant, as was also Le Mesurier.

Thornton was elected in 1782 although he refused to give the customary money to the voters, and the general election of 1784 was the only one during this period when there was no contest.