Winchelsea was a Treasury borough which by 1715 had been allowed to fall under the control of two wealthy business men, George Dodington and Robert Bristow. On Dodington’s death his interest passed to his nephew, George Bubb Dodington, who from 1722 chose to sit for Bridgwater, returning ministerial nominees till 1734, when he brought in his brother-in-law E. H. Beaghan. In 1741, after Dodington had gone over to the Opposition, carrying with him Bristow’s son and successor, also Robert, Walpole put up two candidates, Lord Doneraile and Orby Hunter, who defeated Dodington’s candidates. In 1747 Doneraile, now in opposition, stood on his own interest, the government nominees being Orby Hunter and John Mordaunt. Shortly before the election the government manager reported:

Lord Doneraile has nobody takes notice of him ... but his two tenants. He declares for Colonel Mordaunt and says he only stands to oppose Mr. Hunter, who has used him ill.1

Hunter and Mordaunt were returned. The 2nd Lord Egmont noted in his electoral survey, c.1749-50, that Winchelsea was ‘in the Crown’.