The new government would be a minority Court Party administration, led by the Duke of Queensberry as Lord High Commissioner.

[1] Queensberry sought to build an alliance between his Court party and the Episcopalian Cavalier faction, whose parliamentary presence had been increased by the election.

This alliance was in part driven by Queen Anne's own Anglicanism and Stewart heritage.

The parliament was still predominantly Presbyterian, and neither Queensberry or his Court faction favoured toleration.

The returning officer in each shire or burgh fixed the precise date (see hustings for details of the conduct of the elections).