What were the names of the main political groups in Parliament in the early 18th century?

Okay, let's delve into the political scene of the early 18th century in Britain. Think back to the period after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which established a constitutional monarchy. Two major political factions emerged during this time: the Tories and the Whigs. The Tories generally supported the authority of the Crown and the Church of England, often representing the interests of the landed gentry. The Whigs, on the other hand, were more inclined to limit royal power and favored religious tolerance for Protestant dissenters. They tended to represent the interests of merchants and the rising commercial class. Now, the Labour Party and Nationalists are much later developments in British political history. Labour arose in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, advocating for the rights of workers, while Nationalist parties are a feature of modern politics in the UK. So, when you think of the early 1700s, remember the power struggle between the Tories, who leaned towards tradition and the Crown, and the Whigs, who pushed for more parliamentary power and religious freedom.