 From 1727 the Cecil interest controlled both seats.An attempt was made by Savile Cust in 1734 to establish an electoral interest in the borough, but when this failed the Cecils were left with a secure pocket borough.Namier and Brooke in "The House of Commons 1754-1790" confirmed that before the Reform Act 1832 the right of election was in the inhabitants of the parliamentary borough paying scot and lot, a local tax.