Fox’s motion to repeal the Test and Corporation Acts. The Corporation Act of 1661 excluded from membership of town corporations those who would not take the sacrament in accordance with the rites of the Church of England. The Test Act passed in 1673 imposed the same test upon holders of civil or military office. As a result, all religious groups - including Protestant dissenters - who declined the test were excluded from public office. The motion for repeal was rejected by 294 votes to 105.

See The Times, 3 March 1790.