BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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emerging democratic system.
No longer able to rely on the
unconditional support of its traditional constituents, the Conservative
party found it necessary to lend support to the creation of a
sociopolitical subculture within which to nurture a new electoral
alliance.
In addition to marking the first general implementation of the
1883-85 reforms, the November, 1885 election also provided the
opportunity for women to assist in political campaign activities
throughout the country.
Lady Gwendolen Cecil took an active role at
LGC headquarters, overseeing arrangements to provide carriages to
Conservative candidates in the metropolitan region.
The action was
significant, representing an innovation put into practice through the
efforts of prominent Dames.
Demands for carriages, however, exceeded
supply, prompting criticism from some candidates who had counted on
assistance.34
At the local level, many socially prominent women followed the
example set by Lady Churchill in campaigning for her husband during the
July and November elections of 1885.
As a result of Lord Randolph
Churchill's appointment to a position in the Conservative Cabinet in
July, 1885, he found it necessary to stand for election in Woodstock,
Oxfordshire.
Lady Randolph Churchill and her sister-in-law, Lady
Curzon, canvassed the district in a "tandem" carriage drawn by two
horses decorated in Churchill's racing colors, pink and brown.
34 LGC Executive Committee Minutes, 11 December 1885.