After a keen contest between Henry Paget, Earl of Uxbridge and Thomas James Bulkeley, Baron Bulkeley, for control of the county in 1784, in which the former was successful, a compromise was devised whereby Bulkeley surrendered Anglesey to Uxbridge in exchange for the latter’s support in Caernarvonshire. This balance of power remained undisturbed throughout the period and three of Uxbridge’s sons occupied the county seat in succession.

Uxbridge, who relied on Thomas Williams* of Llanidan to manage matters for him, had some fears of possible opposition in 1794, but they proved groundless.1 As Uxbridge was an invariable supporter of the government of the day, his son Sir Arthur made way for his younger brother Berkeley in 1807 when he sympathized with the outgoing administration, but this remained a family matter and neither Sir Arthur’s absence abroad for nearly all of his parliamentary career, nor his politics, seem to have provoked any hostility in the county.2 Bulkeley wrote to Sir Arthur, 30 Mar. 1807:

it has been intimated to me that owing to some differences of opinion with your father on the late rumpus you are to go out of Parliament, and that your brother Berkeley is to offer his services to the county of Anglesey in your stead. I shall thank you to let me know whether this is true or not, as Lord Uxbridge has not said a word to me about it, and I hope such a measure will not be adopted without at least acquainting me.

But this letter was inspired by political indignation and constituted no real threat to the Paget interest.3

In 1815 the 2nd Earl became Marquess of Anglesey. A family plan to bring in the young Earl of Uxbridge instead of Berkeley Paget in 1818 was abandoned because Uxbridge did not come of age until 6 July. There had been a rumour of opposition from John Gladstone*, but it was not taken seriously.4