United Kingdom general election of 1802

Background. The election followed the dissolution of the first united Parliament on 29 June 1802. This Parliament had been composed of members from the former Parliaments of Great Britain and Ireland. The previous general election for Great Britain had occurred in 1796. The new Parliament was summoned to meet on 31 August 1802, for a maximum seven-year term, though this could be curtailed by the monarch.

Political Context. Prime Minister Henry Addington led a war-time administration of pro-government Whigs and Tories, known as the "Addingtonians." His predecessor, William Pitt the Younger, had resigned in March 1801. Pitt's faction initially supported the Addington ministry but became increasingly opposed during the parliamentary term. The election occurred shortly after the Treaty of Amiens brought peace with France in March 1802.

Election Process. Local returning officers fixed election timetables for their constituencies after receiving royal writs. The period between the first and last contested elections spanned from 5 July to 28 August 1802. The election was a decidedly quiet affair, largely due to the general popularity of Addington's diplomatic and peace policies, which had recently secured the Treaty of Amiens.