Robert MacLuckie, Election Agent, 1880 – 1886
On his death in 1909, the Stirling Observer remarked that Robert MacLuckie was one Stirling’s ‘best known men’, ‘one of the most likeable of gentlemen’ and an ‘excellent type of the old trustworthy Scottish lawyer’. Educated at Dunlop’s Private School in Baker Street and then Glasgow University, he worked with several notable groups, including Stirling School Board, County Road Trust, Central District Committee and the Stirling Guildry.
An overlooked aspect of MacLuckie’s life was his role in politics. He was the Secretary for the Stirling Liberal Association and acted as the election agent for the Liberal candidate Joseph Cheney Bolton. The role of the agent was to be legally responsible for the candidate’s campaign.
After an unsuccessful campaign in the 1874 general election, J. C. Bolton stood again in 1880 for the Stirlingshire constituency. A successful campaign saw him defeat Conservative candidate William Edmonstone. He would subsequently retain his seat at the 1885 and 1886 general elections defeating Hugh Shaw-Stewart and Ernest Noel. Within the Mathie, MacLuckie and Lupton collection are a series of records documenting MacLuckie’s work as an election agent during the successful campaigns.
MacLuckie was very thorough in documenting his work as an agent. Financial expenses were recorded. Memos and correspondence from the Returning Officer were retained. Lists of telegrams to be sent announcing the result of the election noted.
A key aspect of MacLuckie’s work was ensuring that certain prospective voters voted Liberal. As MacLuckie was already the Clerk and Secretary in some of the County’s high profile Committees, he had already attained a good relationship with the wealthy elite of Stirlingshire.
Voters lists were attained with checks placed next to those who were guaranteed to vote for Bolton. A diary from the 1880 election records transport arrangements for voters to ensure they reached their polling station to vote.
For those outwith MacLuckie’s professional circle, correspondence from the Stirling Liberal Association to prospective voters specifically outlined how to vote for J. C. Bolton on polling day. Mr Bolton’s engagements for canvassing and addresses to the public are also noted.
The Liberal Party began to split over the question of Irish Home rule during the 1885-1886 elections. For MacLuckie and Bolton, however, they managed to retain their seat during this period of turmoil for the party.