BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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Primrose members.
While the Central region tended to give precedence
to the Liberal party between 1885 and 1900, the Bristol area conformed
to the more Conservative national voting trend exhibited in those
years.
The Wessex region of England was one maked both by exceedingly
strong Primrose representation and significant support for the
Conservative party.
In Hampshire the League had a very impressive
24,501 members, 3.5 percent of its census. With 12,709 members and 6.5
percent of its census, Dorset was the strongest county represented in
my study.
Only Rutland showed a higher relative standing (8.2
percent), but must be discounted because of the small number of
Habitations (3), low membership (1,699), and sparse county population
(20,659), factors which tend to exaggerate its strength. Wiltshire,
which Pelling has straddling the Central and Bristol regions, 22 also
grew to 11,888 members corresponding to 4.4 percent of its census.
The agricultural regions of the West Midlands, specifically
Shropshire and Herefordshire counties, also proved centers for Primrose
and Unionist party activity.
With 10,778 League members and 4.5
percent of its census, Shropshire was well represented.
On the basis
of size, Herefordshire's membership (4,659) was insufficient to justify
its inclusion in this category.
However its regional affinity with
Shropshire, similar electoral preference, and high census
representation (4 percent) make it worthy of consideration.