BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

to be free and, in so far as possible, to terminate at election time.
However, a Habitation was able to hold meetings during this period
provided the facilities were donated or rented on a yearly basis.
Wardens were instructed to obtain a list of vehicles available in the
district at election time, privately requesting their use on polling
day.
All Habitation members were to be acquainted with the provisions
of the Corrupt Practices Act.
The above procedures remained the
generally accepted practices of Habitations for several years to come.
Periodically the Liberals accused the Primrose League of
illegal practices. Two such instances are cited here. In 1887, the
Home Department was asked to investigate allegations that the Ladywood
Habitation in Birmingham had unduly influenced voters through the
actions of its sewing society which distributed garments to the poor.
In making the charges in the House of Commons, P. Stanhope gave as
evidence the fact that "this Habitation has been engaged in three
contests already, and has been successful in each." The request was
tabled by Stuart Wortley, Under Secretary of State, noting that
sufficient provision was made available through the Corrupt Practices
Act to investigate alleged malpractices.29
j n Huddersfield Liberals
accused the League of a variety of offenses ranging from boycotting a
confectioner who refused to vote for the Conservative candidate to
buying voters and
intimidating electors.30
29 Great Britain, Parliament, Hansard's Parliamentary Debates,
3rd Series, 314 (1887); 352-53.
3° The Huddersfield Examiner, 8 December 1888, p. 6.