ID: 2557
Typed letter signed
PANKHURST, Christabel
Category: History
Place/Publisher/Date:
London. No Publisher. 1909.
Description:
Typed letter signed on 'Votes for Women' National Women's Social & Political Union headed paper, 26th January 1909; 8vo one page. Christabel Pankhurst (1880-1958) writes to the Editor of the Evening Standard, reporting that 'Five Women have been arrested for seeking an interview with the Prime Minister at Downing Street and complaining that 'Mr Asquith has never, since assuming this office of Prime Minister, received a deputation from any of the Women's Societies which claim the vote. It will be generally admitted that this attitude on his part is unreasonable'. Christabel Pankhurst was at that time organising secretary of the National Women's Social & Political Union and goes on in the letter to state that further delay in a parliamentary vote would preclude women from voting in the upcoming election. Three Conciliation bills were put before the House of Commons, one each year in 1910, 1911 and in 1912 which would have extended the right of women to vote in the United Kingdom to around 1,000,500 wealthy, property-owning women. The 1910 vote failed. The Bill was debated again in May 1911 and was passed by a majority of 255 to 88 votes as a private member's bill and the Government of Asquith promised a week of government time to debate the Bill. However, in November Asquith announced that he was in favour of a manhood suffrage bill and that suffragists could suggest and propose an amendment that would allow some women to vote. The bill was consequently dropped.
Price £1750.00
