BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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Both the Bristol
and agricultural regions of the West Midlands
declined at a rate comparable to that of the Central district. For
Somerset and Gloucestershire counties in the Bristol area, this meant
decreases of 78 and 62 percent, respectively, from their positions in
1888. The two counties had accounted for a solid 3.5 and 2 percent
portion, respectively, of their 1891 censuses.
The Shropshire and
Herefordshire counties in the rural West Midlands region decreased to
73 and 75 percent, respectively, of their 1888 total. While
Herefordshire only included 20 Habitations in 1888, it has been
included here because of its marginally acceptable status and regional
proximity to Shropshire.
The London and South-East section of England, which in 1888 had
performed well
in terms of number of Habitations and membership, but
poorly regard to proportion of the census, also experienced a fairly
significant decline.
The exception to the trend was Hertfordshire
which maintained its distinctive status, managing to retain fully 96.4
percent of its original 1888 representation.
Sussex, the second
strongest county in the region, lost a relatively modest 12 percent
between 1888 and 1899.
Essex experienced the greatest decline,
maintaining only 65 percent of its previous figure.
The remaining
counties Surrey, Middlesex, and Kent lost between 20 and 30 percent of
their Habitations.
London dropped to 71 percent of its 1888 strength,
a loss of 23 associations.
The relatively poor showing of this region is not altogether
surprising.
It experienced the earliest growth in the country, most of
its initial spurt of activity occurring between 1884 and 1885. As a