BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

217
Presumably absent from their ranks were the representatives of
the skilled and semiskilled portions of the work force identifying with
the "new unionism" of the late 1880's and 1890's.
Despite the obvious
limitations of the club failing to draw proportionally from all social
class constituencies, it nevertheless maintained a sufficiently broad
representation to justify, at least on its own terms, the frequent
Primrose claim of having achieved a "union of all classes." 44
In Sal ford the Primrose Club Company appeared to exhibit a
distinctly more working class character, listing as its stockholders a
blacksmith, millwright, two overlookers, an engine fitter, a Manchester
Provisions Dealer, and a Grocer's Manager.
relatively prohibitive rate of £1 apiece. 4 $
Shares were set at the
It is not clear from the
records to what extent the shareholders reflected overall club
membership, if indeed there was rank and file participation.
The club,
formed in April of 1884, dissolved seven years later.
In an effort to gain a better understanding of the social class
composition of the Primrose League, this section will conclude with an
examination of the register of two local Habitations, one located in
Dorset, the other in Lancashire.
Wherever possible I relied on the
information provided in the post office directories concerning social
and occupational titles.
However given the prevalence of family
members and the limited occupational listings, it was necessary to make
44
Robb, The Primrose League, p. 148. "A Short History of the
League" contained in the Minutes of the Grand Council of the Primrose
League, 1883-1886. The Primrose League Gazette, 25 May 1889, p. 15.
45
"Primrose Club Company, Ltd.," PRO BT31 3317/19653.