February 3, 1769

John Wilkes Expelled from Parliament, 219-136

The House of Commons, having decided that members convicted of seditious libel are not entitled to any claims of privilege, votes to expel John Wilkes. He is re-elected by his Middlesex constituency two weeks later, expelled the next day, re-elected on March 16, expelled again the following day, and re-elected by Middlesex on April 13. Parliament then votes to alter the Middlesex return and directly seat his opponent. Seen as symbol of liberty by many, Wilkes' general popularity skyrockets.