As a Unitarian, he was viewed as barely better than an atheist by many of the electors belonging to the Church of England, while he was also opposed by Catholics, influenced by Papal hostility towards the foreign policy of the incumbent Liberal government led by Lord Palmerston.

[6] Sherwood's painting, which features Hesketh addressing a crowd amid Conservative party iconography, also includes veiled accusations of voter bribery, with people scrabbling for coins appearing prominently in the foreground.

This included accusations that voters were being offered as much as £25 in exchange for their support, an attractive prospect as the constituency was badly affected by the ongoing Lancashire Cotton Famine.

[5]: pp.127–129  A subsequent recall petition against Hesketh was initiated after the by-election, instigated by the perceived financial impropriety.

[5]: p.130  However it was ultimately unsuccessful, due to a combination of the potential cost, and because Melly's allies doubted that he would win the re-run campaign.