John Rudge (banker)

After being returned unopposed in January 1701 he was defeated in the ballot for commissioners of accounts, receiving only 20 votes.

He was not active on important committees, possibly because of his responsibility as a director of the Bank, and later the New East India Company.

He voted on 13 February 1703 for agreeing the Lords’ amendments to the bill extending the time for taking the abjuration oath.

On 23 February 1705 he acted as a teller for a clause to be added to the bill prohibiting all trade and commerce with France.

He was returned unopposed as a Whig at the 1710 British general election.. By 1710 he was credited with £4,000 of stock in the Bank of England and his interest in its affairs led to his election as deputy-governor in May 1711 on the Whig ticket, which brought him into contact with the ministry of Robert Harley.

In July 1712 he was representing the Bank at a meeting with the Treasury, and his brother Edward Rudge was appointed a lottery commissioner for 1712 to 1714.

On 9 June 1713 he acted as a teller on a bill relating to a historical omission on the proceedings of a treaty of commerce.

[1] Rudge was returned as Whig MP for Evesham at the 1715 general election, but voted against the Administration in every recorded division during the reign of King George I.

In the reign of King George II his only recorded vote was against the repeal of the Septennial Act in 1734.