BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

319
London executive following the election.16
A more likely explanation,
however, would be that support was generated spontaneously in response
to electoral defeat, bolstering levels of income and enthusiasm among
rank and file members.
Despite the relative decline of the Primrose League, it
continued to play an important role in many parts of the country.
Henry Page Croft proclaimed the effort of the Drummond Wolff Habitation
as being instrumental in securing his return as a Conservative member
of the Christchurch borough in Hampshire during the 1910 elections.
Between two and four thousand members of the association, which was
located in Bournemouth, were overseen by two female Ruling Councillors.
While the extent of support generated by the Drummond Wolff Habitation
was perhaps unique, letters from members of parliament to the Grand
Council were plentiful in expressing the thanks of many candidates for
the services provided by members of the Primrose League.17
1^ The Knights' and Dames' Tributes for the Primrose years
1901-02 through 1913-14, exclusive of 1906-07, were as follows: 1901­
02, £2,914; 1902-03, £2,873; 1903-04, £2,709; 1904-05, £2,615; 1905-06,
£2,774; 1906-07, no figures are provided, although the annual report
suggests the income was higher than the previous year; 1907-08, £2,969;
1908-09, £3,072; 1909-10, £3,231; 1910-11, £3,334; 1911-12, £3,348;
1912-13, £3,251; 1913-14, £3,333. Financial Reports for the years
ending 31 March 1903; 1906; 1909; 1911; 1913. Minutes of the Grand
Council of the Primrose League provide details regarding the earnings
for 1903-04; 1906-07; and 1913-14 Primrose years, records not contained
in the Financial Reports. 24 April 1904; 25 April 1907; 23 April 1914.
The SGC Income and Expenditure figures contained within the
Cash Ledger suggest a fairly steadily declining base of Tributes from
£180 in 1901 and £94 in 1914. A slight recovery occurred between 1907
and 1909 and again in 1911. After 1914 income derived from Tributes
decreased dramatically, amounting to £6 in 1918. Ledger of the Grand
Council Scottish Branch.
I 7
Croft, My Life of Strife, p. 185.