BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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He anticipates much harm from the new "Primrose
League," which is to be worked in the interests of the
Fourth Party. It has an oath of Obedience, and an Oath
of Secrecy."
Northcote was sufficiently alarmed about the League to inquire
within inner party circles as to its intentions.
Stanhope, the most
active member of the Central Committee, replied three days later.
You ask me about the Primrose League. I cannot at
present find anything alarming about it. Percy has the
papers relating to it. But I shall probably get more
information.30
Enough information had circulated within inner party circles by
the end of December that Wolff and Churchill
felt compelled to write
party leaders, Sir Stafford Northcote and the Marquis of Salisbury,
officially notifying them of the existence of the League. Wolff
emphasized in his letter to Northcote the benefits that it would
provide to the party.
In particular he stressed its role as a
counterweight to the restrictions imposed by the Corrupt Practices Act
of 1883.
It is intended to obtain the help of volunteers to
replace the paid canvassers abolished by the Corrupt
Practices Act.
The League is obtaining such strength that I think
you will take an interest in its progress as being
likely to stimulate Conservative efforts in
constituences where it is often not sufficiently
active.31
29
Ibid., 10 December 1883.
30 Stanhope to Northcote, 13 December 1883; Iddesleigh Papers,
B.L. Add. MS. 50042, vol. 30.
31
Wolff to Northcote, 22 December 1883; Iddesleigh Papers,
B.L. Add. MS. 50042, vol. 30.