BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

9
Through an examination of a number of local studies, Chapter
Seven seeks to demonstrate the continuity of operations, selective
regional factors which come into play, and the impact of Habitations in
circumventing the limitations imposed by the Corrupt Practices Act of
1883. The Epilogue focuses on the causes underlying the declining
influence exerted by the League in the 1900's challenged, as it were,
by a new assortment of independent, extra-parliamentary interest groups
vying for popular support.
In undertaking this study, I have relied primarily on the
manuscript sources of the Primrose League originally housed in its
Central Office.
These include two volumes of minutes maintained by the
Grand Council for the years 1883-86 and 1886-87 as well as a special
minute book for 1886-1900.
I also relied heavily upon the four volumes
of minutes kept by the Ladies Grand Council representing the years
1885-86; 1886-89; 1890-94; 1894-1901.
In addition to the above stated minutes of the Primrose League,
I also consulted four volumes of Grand Council minutes covering the
years 1900-32 and the minutes recorded by the Scott Habitation (1897­
1909), a Scottish association. The above sources, in addition to an
extensive collection of The Primrose League Gazette and three Rolls of
Habitations for 1886, 1904, and 1912 represent the entire collection of
materials available for the period preceding the First World War at the
Conservative Party Archives located in the Bodleian Library.
Newspapers likewise formed an important source for my
dissertation, most particularly The Primrose Record (1885-87), The
Primrose League Gazette (1887-1901), England (1880-98), The Morning