rotten borough
(by extension) A parliamentary constituency or electoral district in a similar situation.
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(by extension) A parliamentary constituency or electoral district in a similar situation.
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(historical) A parliamentary borough that was represented in Parliament although the number of voters had diminished so greatly that they were largely controlled by the main landowner; such boroughs were abolished in the 19th century.
“English councils have an accountability problem. In the lead-up to the May 7th local #ukelections, Red Pepper co-editor Andy Brain reports on the district he grew up in - also known as the country's most infamous 'rotten borough.'”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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- rotten63%
In a state of decay.
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(chiefly, Australia, New Zealand) A geographical area represented by one or more elected officials; a constituency, an electoral district.
- municipal borough58%
(British) A city or town in England and Wales with an elected town council consisting of a mayor, aldermen and councillors.
- rotten58%
Cruel, mean or immoral.