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“Wilkes and Liberty! Old English Liberty!”
John Wilkes, journalist and politician, was born in London #OnThisDay 1725. A hugely influential figure in the history of English radicalism, Wilkes was seen as a champion of liberty, the rights of constituencies and a free press. [1/4]
![“Wilkes and Liberty! Old English Liberty!”John Wilkes, journalist and politician, was born in London #OnThisDay 1725. A hugely influential figure in the history of English radicalism, Wilkes was seen as a champion of liberty, the rights of constituencies and a free press. [1/4]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkgvF3MXUAAkfE2.jpg "“Wilkes and Liberty! Old English Liberty!”John Wilkes, journalist and politician, was born in London #OnThisDay 1725. A hugely influential figure in the history of English radicalism, Wilkes was seen as a champion of liberty, the rights of constituencies and a free press. [1/4]")
John Wilkes, journalist and politician, was born in London #OnThisDay 1725. A hugely influential figure in the history of English radicalism, Wilkes was seen as a champion of liberty, the rights of constituencies and a free press. [1/4]
In 1763 Wilkes published a satirical pamphlet called ‘The North Briton’. His attacks on the Government in that publication, particularly in the 45th edition, led to his arrest under a general warrant. In January 1764 Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons. [2/4]
![In 1763 Wilkes published a satirical pamphlet called ‘The North Briton’. His attacks on the Government in that publication, particularly in the 45th edition, led to his arrest under a general warrant. In January 1764 Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons. [2/4]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkgvGVCXEAAeYu7.jpg "In 1763 Wilkes published a satirical pamphlet called ‘The North Briton’. His attacks on the Government in that publication, particularly in the 45th edition, led to his arrest under a general warrant. In January 1764 Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons. [2/4]")
![In 1763 Wilkes published a satirical pamphlet called ‘The North Briton’. His attacks on the Government in that publication, particularly in the 45th edition, led to his arrest under a general warrant. In January 1764 Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons. [2/4]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkgvGVMXUAA5uPe.jpg "In 1763 Wilkes published a satirical pamphlet called ‘The North Briton’. His attacks on the Government in that publication, particularly in the 45th edition, led to his arrest under a general warrant. In January 1764 Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons. [2/4]")
![In 1763 Wilkes published a satirical pamphlet called ‘The North Briton’. His attacks on the Government in that publication, particularly in the 45th edition, led to his arrest under a general warrant. In January 1764 Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons. [2/4]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkgvGVNXgAAxfZq.jpg "In 1763 Wilkes published a satirical pamphlet called ‘The North Briton’. His attacks on the Government in that publication, particularly in the 45th edition, led to his arrest under a general warrant. In January 1764 Wilkes was expelled from the House of Commons. [2/4]")
Wilkes was elected again in 1768, this time for Middlesex. However, he was expelled from Parliament for being an outlaw at the time of his election. He then won three by-elections in 1769 - all of which were voided by Parliament - before finally taking his seat in 1774. [3/4]
![Wilkes was elected again in 1768, this time for Middlesex. However, he was expelled from Parliament for being an outlaw at the time of his election. He then won three by-elections in 1769 - all of which were voided by Parliament - before finally taking his seat in 1774. [3/4]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkgvGuYWAAAGdV-.jpg "Wilkes was elected again in 1768, this time for Middlesex. However, he was expelled from Parliament for being an outlaw at the time of his election. He then won three by-elections in 1769 - all of which were voided by Parliament - before finally taking his seat in 1774. [3/4]")
As an MP Wilkes made the first ever motion for Parliamentary reform. Wilkes also helped to force the Government into relaxing restrictions on reporting parliamentary debates, thereby establishing the freedom of the press to report Parliament. [4/4]
