The general election took place in a situation of considerable uncertainty about the future of British politics, following the sudden death of William Pitt the Younger and the formation of the Ministry of all the Talents.

William Pitt the Younger formed a new coalition of pro-government Whig and Tory politicians to prosecute the war.

It included Fox and Addington (now ennobled as the 1st Viscount Sidmouth) as well as other leading political figures of the day.

Grenville also tried to strengthen the government, but was unable to persuade the Pittites to join him either as a body or by detaching some leading figures.

The Talents were in office at the time of this election and continued after it, but the Ministry was weakened by the death of Fox on 13 September 1806.

In the eighteenth century a government with the King's backing could expect to make substantial gains at an election.