A new mural has been unveiled in St Albans which commemorates the controversial elections of 1851, which led to St Albans losing its right to elect an MP for more than 30 years.
Local artist Ant Steel painted the mural on Sovereign Way, working alongside Conservation 50, St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural & Archaeological Society, St Albans BID, and St Albans City & District Council. Ant, who is the artist-in-residence at St Albans Cathedral, was sponsored by Christopher Place for the project.
The mural depicts several characters, including Jacob Bell, who bribed more than 300 voters to win the by-election in 1851. After the scandal was revealed, the constituency was not allowed to have an MP for more than 30 years.
The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans councillor Anthony Rowlands visited the mural and said: “Ant Steel has created a suitably colourful visual representation of one of the most notorious episodes in our city’s history.”
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