BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

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In many respects the formal
adoption of the title Associate
over that of Esquire at the Grand Habitation in April, 1885 reflected
larger, more general changes in the character of the organization from
a body comprising almost exclusively male and largely affluent
supporters to one representing a broad cross section of the male and
female population.
While no explanation is provided with the Minutes
regarding the causes responsible for this change of title, the records
do indicate that the practice was introduced at the local
level as the
Primrose League began to increase dramatically in membership. Desiring
to maintain uniform standards, the Central Office endorsed the term
Associate.2
little appeal
it would appear, then, that the designation "Esquire" held
for men from the working and lower middle classes who
were most likely to join as Associates.
For those individuals who
coveted titles of distinction, the classification of Knight or Dame
more properly served as an indication of their desired or actual social
status.
Between 1885 and 1888 the Primrose League developed the basic
structure characteristic of its organization.
The Central Office
evolved into a complex enterprise comprised, on the one hand, a Grand
Council
studded with aristocrats and, on the other, a growing staff of
"professionals" hired to implement policies and to ensure continued
expansion.
A network of agents maintained by the London headquarters
traversed the country encouraging the formation of Habitations and
general compliance with the dictates of the executive.
Two auxiliary
2 Minutes of the Grand Council of the Primrose League, 22
March 1885; 25 April 1885.