Electors

Title

Electors

Description

Visual Description: Detailed illustration of a noble man dressed in royal purple and wearing a crown, writing on a public wall “WE BOW to the WILL of the PEOPLE.” Behind him in line is Prime Minister Herbert Asquith, dressed in yellow clothes, writing on the peer's back, “The peers must not veto the will of the commons who represent the people.” Last in line is a woman, wearing a purple outfit with green accents, writing on the middle man's back, “The premier must not veto the will of the commons who represent the people." She is also holding a piece of paper in her other hand that reads “Conciliation Bill.” Color scheme is light green, dark purple and yellow, incorporating suffrage colors. Beneath the drawing, purple text reads, “Votes for women. Electors! Your representatives in the House of Commons by a majority of 110 voted for our Bill but Mr.Asquith put his Veto on it. Therefore we call on you to ensure Mr.Asquith by voting against the liberal candidate.” Poster created on behalf of the ‘Women’s Social and Political Union’, Emmeline Pankhurst and Emmeline Pethick Lawrence.

Context Description: Although English women had been allowed to vote in local elections and act on school boards since the 1880s, full political equality eluded them (1). The Women’s Social and Political Union created posters to advocate for British women's right to vote, specifically for their representatives to pass the Conciliation Bill. “The Conciliation Bill was designed to conciliate the suffragist movement by giving a limited number of women the vote, according to their property holdings and marital status. After a two-day debate in July 1910, the Conciliation Bill was carried by 109 votes and it was agreed to send it away to be amended by a House of Commons committee. However, before they completed the task, Prime Minister Herbert Asquith called another election in order to get a clear majority” (2) . So, to advocate for a more clear majority vote, The Women’s Social and Political Union created these posters urging viewers to vote against Mr. Asquith the Liberal Candidate. But it was soon realized this bill wasn't enough, and the women wanted a better bill passed. “The Conciliation Bill was debated in March 1912, and was defeated by 14 votes. Asquith claimed that the reason why his government did not back the issue was because they were committed to a full franchise reform bill. However, he never kept his promise and a new bill never appeared before Parliament. On 21st November, the WSPU carried out an 'official' window smash along Whitehall and Fleet Street. This involved the offices of The Daily Mail and The Daily News and the official residences or homes of leading Liberal politicians such as Asquith, David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Edward Grey, John Burns and Lewis Harcourt. It was reported that "160 suffragettes were arrested, but all except those charged with window-breaking or assault were discharged. A new Conciliation Bill was passed by the House of Commons on 5th May 1911 with a majority of 167” (2). British women gained the complete right to vote in 1928.1 “Women's Social and Political Union”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_Social_and_Political_Union 2 John Simkin, “Spartacus Educational”, https://spartacus-educational.com/PRasquith.htm

Creator

Alfred Pierce, also known as A. Patriot (Artist)

Eyre & Spottiswoode (Printer)

Source

Alice Park Posters. Gr-1. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University.

Publisher

The Woman’s Press

Subject

Politics/Political Message

Identifier

A woman writes in favor of a suffrage bill on the back of Prime Minister Henry Asquith who is writing on the back of a peer.

Date

1910

Rights

https://library.harvard.edu/privacy-terms-use-copyright-information#visuals

Item