the two parties. Despite Churchill’s 1 The most detailed existing account organised in pursuing the new Lodger rom the start, the St. Stephen’s of Churchill’s time as MP for Dundee Franchise, with a series of circulars, landslide 1922 defeat, Dundee was is Tony Paterson, Churchill: A Seat and the deployment of the Dundee and Club was closely associated actually highly marginal in the 1923 and For Life (Dundee: David Winter, District Women’s Liberal Association. F with the machinery of the 1924 general elections, with the Liberal 1980), which has long been prized Dundee Liberal Association papers, Conservative Party organisation. It candidate just 314 votes from victory in by Churchillians for its wealth of Dundee City Archive, GD/DLA/4/6. was founded in 1870 – the same year 1923 and the Conservative candidate unique sources. However, its eccentric 10 Minutes of the Dundee Unionist as Conservative Central Office, and 1,075 votes short in 1924. An analysis writing style, in which primary sources Association, ff. 117–8, 11 August 1913, shortly after the establishment of the are extensively quoted without any University of Dundee Archives. of split voting in Dundee throughout National Union of Conservative and attribution, speechmarks or citations, 11 For a detailed analysis of the national the six elections of 1923–45 finds that can make it hard to follow. The context of this Act in its various stages, Constitutional Associations. All three the Liberal vote overwhelmingly split in relevant chapters of Martin Gilbert’s see Pugh, Electoral Reform in War and were products of the second Reform the Conservatives’ favour. (In 1924, for extensive Churchill opus are the most Peace, pp. 103–84. Act, which became law in 1867 and instance, 23,941 of the 25,556 votes cast reliable, and my 2009 M.Phil. thesis 12 Minutes of the Dundee Unionist brought about permanent changes in for the Liberal candidate were split with on the reasons for Churchill’s landslide Association, ff. 156–7, 27 February 1918, election management. Although it had the Conservatives.)21 This culminated in electoral defeat at Dundee in 1922 is University of Dundee Archives. See also been championed by Disraeli, the first being revised for publication. George Brown, Representation of the Dundee finally electing its first and only election under the Act – held in 1868 2 For the significance of Churchill’s anti- People Act: Memorandum by Central Conservative MP, Florence Horsbrugh, Bolshevik views during this period, see Council (Edinburgh: Scottish Unionist and involving nearly three times as in the general elections of 1931 and Kenneth O. Morgan, ‘Lloyd George’s Association, 1918), 4 pp. many voters including, for the first time, 1935, in conjunction with Dundee’s last Stage Army: the Coalition Liberals 13 The most detailed study of the politics of working men in urban seats – saw the Liberal MP, Dingle Foot (brother of 1918–22’ in A.J.P. Taylor (ed.), Lloyd this period remains Kenneth O. Morgan, Conservatives ejected from office. The Michael Foot). Both Foot and Horsbrugh George: Twelve Essays (London: Consensus and Disunity: The Lloyd Tories faced a stark challenge: were defeated in 1945, and their tenure Hamish Hamilton, 1969) pp. 231–3, and George Government, 1918–1922 Martin Gilbert, Winston S. Churchill, (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1979). at Dundee can be seen as the fulfilment Volume IV, 1917–1922: World in 14 Inbal Rose, Conservatism and Foreign To convert the recently of Churchill’s own design for winning the Torment (London: Heinemann, 1975) Policy during the Lloyd George enfranchised voters required constituency after the First World War. pp. 320–430. Chief among the many Coalition, 1918–1922 (London: Frank more systematic organisation, Churchill was undoubtedly motivated Churchill biographers to stress the Cass, 1999) pp. 204–20. For more on and without many such by major national and international influence of Churchill’s friendship with long-standing Conservative mistrust of conversions, the Conservative factors in his attitude towards coalition, F.E. Smith was unsurprisingly Smith’s Churchill’s influence over Irish policy, Party could not return to office.1 own son, the Earl of Birkenhead, see David Dutton, ‘His Majesty’s Loyal The original St. Stephen’s clubhouse stands in the shadow of Parliament and in his rapprochement with the Churchill, 1874–1922 (London: Harrap, Opposition’: The Unionist Party in (The Graphic, 21 February 1874) Conservatives. However, the experience 1989) pp. 491–503. Opposition, 1905–1915 (Liverpool Hitherto, organisational work had of representing Dundee, with its unusual 3 For more on Churchill’s affinity for University Press, 1992) especially taken place at that ‘first great Party political environment, has long been coalitions, see G.R. Searle, Country pp. 229–31. bastion’, the Carlton Club – which neglected as a factor in convincing Before Party: Coalitions and the Idea 15 Thomson is now best remembered had itself been established in the wake Churchill that Liberal-Conservative of ‘National Government’ in Modern as founder of the Beano and Dandy, of the first Reform Act in 1832.2 But coalition could work. Throughout the Britain, 1885–1987 (London: Longman, but his Dundee-based publishing clubs like the Carlton – and its Liberal 1995), especially pp. 120–47. empire included several major Scottish 1920s, he developed the theme of halting St. Stephen’s Club, counterparts, Brooks’s and the Reform 4 See Minutes of the Dundee Unionist newspapers. the rise of socialism through Liberal- Association, passim, University of 16 For the view that Thomson engineered – were highly exclusive, and not (in Conservative co-operation, and it was Dundee Archives. Churchill’s defeat, see Gilbert, Winston their minds) suitable for members of the on these grounds that Churchill joined 5 For Churchill’s ‘life seat’ remark, see S. Churchill, Volume IV, p. 885, which 1870–2012 newly-enlarged electorate. A ‘new era’ Baldwin’s government in 1924 and re- Churchill to Lady Randolph Churchill, is based on Churchill’s own strong belief therefore opened in 1868 and, as well joined the Conservatives the following c. 29 April 1908, Randolph S. Churchill that he was being hounded by Thomson. as the development of Party apparatus, year. For all the bitterness of the pre-war (ed.), Winston S. Churchill: Volume II Most subsequent accounts repeat this ‘a rush of new building’ saw a new wave Companion, Part 2, 1907–1911 (London: interpretation. contests against the Dundee Unionists, Heinemann, 1969) p. 789. This is often 17 See, for instance, pro-Churchill stories The news that the St. Stephen’s Club is closing of political clubs catering for ordinary the constituency provided Churchill misquoted as ‘a seat for life’. like the two-column article on ‘MR. its doors in December signals the end of an business men or party workers from the with a rare example of relatively 6 Dundee Liberal Association papers, CHURCHILL AS AN ANTI-WASTER provinces who came up to London on smooth co-operation between Liberals Dundee City Archive, GD/DLA/4/6. – Claims Large Part In Cutting institution closely bound to the Conservative Party political business.3 and Conservatives during the Lloyd 7 As a two-member constituency, the Expenditure’ Dundee Advertiser, 1 for more than 140 years. Stephen Parkinson In 1870, a new principal agent George coalition, strengthening his pro- electorate was approximately twice the November 1922, and articles attacking for the Party was appointed – John size of most contemporary Scottish Churchill’s Communist and Labour coalition sentiments. surveys its history. Gorst, a 35-year-old barrister who had boroughs. opponents, like ‘MR. GALLACHER ON MR. 4 8 The corresponding vote shares were MOREL – Led by Churchill into a trap’, recently lost his seat in Parliament. 18.6 per cent for Baxter and 30.2 per Dundee Courier, 9 November 1922. The headquarters he established at 53 cent for Churchill, although these 18 People’s Journal, 14 December 1918. Parliament Street became the first home ■ Seth Alexander Thévoz teaches percentages are not directly comparable 19 Dundee Advertiser, 14 November of Conservative Central Office. Gorst history at the University of Warwick, to the 1908 by-election, as that was 1922 – a quarter-page, front-page was a devoted follower of Disraeli and, and holds degrees from the Universities fought over a single vacancy, while the advertisement on the eve of poll. like his leader, ‘a fervent adherent of general elections were two-member 20 ibid. of Cambridge and London. He is in the policy of building the future of the elections. 21 F.W.S. Craig, British Parliamentary the final stages of completing a Ph.D. 9 Minutes of the Dundee Unionist Election Results, 1918–1949 Tory party on the loyalty of the working with the History of Parliament Trust Association, ff. 117–18, 11 August (Chichester: Parliamentary Research masses’.5 He set about strengthening and on the political impact of London clubs, 1913, University of Dundee Archives. Services, 1969 [rev. 3rd ed. 1983]), co-ordinating the Conservative Party 1832–68. The Dundee Liberals were extremely pp. 715–6. organisation – registering voters, finding

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candidates, forming new associations Just before eight o’clock the down from Magdalen College, Wilde the wealthier clubs.21 It regularly hosted briefings a day – ‘and the ultimate flattery around the country, publishing Gentlemen of England trooped stayed at the club while ‘looking for senior Party figures: Lord Salisbury was to be welcomed by Chamberlain into pamphlets, answering correspondence, off to the Club. They were not lodgings and making literary friends’.17 spoke to 240 members on the last night the small group of blue-chip journalists and supporting the Party’s likely to be wanted for the Further down the literary scale, the of the 1885 general election campaign, who were acknowledged as enthusiastic representatives in Parliament. His work division till after midnight. If St. Stephen’s enjoyed a connection with describing the Liberal Party as: supporters, and were briefed in private paid dividends: at the following general by accident a division were The Tatler, an early incarnation of which at the St. Stephen’s Club’.26 Michael (now election in 1874, the Conservatives were sprung upon the House, the was founded at the club. Louis Diston an artificial confederacy of Lord) Dobbs imagines the scene in one of outpolled by Gladstone’s Liberals, but bell would clang here as it did Powles, ‘a barrister with a fair amount men who are united by motives his wartime novels, describing the club won more seats, gaining 79 new MPs in the Commons’ dining-room, of practice in probate and divorce cases, and opinions of a very different as ‘a place of ne’er-do-wells within the and enabling Disraeli to form his first and they would bolt off to save had taken it into his head that the kind … but whom false shame shadow of Big Ben’.27 majority administration. His work done, the State. proprietorship of a weekly paper was and old association and other The 1922 Committee hosted a dinner Gorst left to pursue his own return to the a shorter cut to fortune than the Bar.’ sophistries of the kind prevent there in Chamberlain’s honour on House of Commons, and Central Office Nothing happened. They ate He invited a number of people – some from assuming in the face of 28 March 1939. Christopher York, moved to new premises directly opposite their dinner in peace and he had never met before – to a ‘well- the world the responsibility a 29-year-old backbencher who had Parliament on the corner of Westminster quietness, and, strolling back attended dinner’ at the St. Stephen’s of the convictions which been elected as the MP for Ripon only Bridge – St. Stephen’s Chambers, the about half-past ten, were met at in 1877 to discuss the arrangements they entertain.22 the previous month, recorded in his home of the St. Stephen’s Club. St. Stephen’s Chambers, on the corner the lobby door by the desperate for such a venture. The novelist Robert diary that the Prime Minister mounted This location made the St. Stephen’s of Westminster Bridge, also housed Whip, who, in language Francillon was one of them – and found He might have spluttered had he a strong defence of his appeasement Conservative Central Office (Illustrated a convenient meeting place for permitted only to Whips and himself roped into editing the fledgling discovered that a Liberal Prime Minister, policy. Chamberlain London News, 27 February 1875) Conservative MPs and their associates, the Commander-in-Chief of the paper after the original editor stepped David Lloyd George, would breakfast being ‘nearer than the Carlton and easier British Army, reproached them down a fortnight into the job. When the with Tory colleagues at the St. Stephen’s said in effect ‘I’m not such a to join.’6 Indeed, Tory MPs did not have The club’s premises were designed by with their desertion. paper itself went under, Francillon was during the First World War.23 B[loody] F[ool] as some people to set foot outside to reach it: a subway John Whichcord, Jr., later president of far from dismayed: Neville Chamberlain – a prime minister think’ about Munich. He didn’t connected it to the Palace of Westminster the Royal Institute of British Architects. The returning MPs were informed ‘well ahead of his time in the manipulation really believe Hitler would (along with a new Underground station Whichcord was an apt choice. In 1865, that, soon after eight o’clock, the Irish I cannot say I deplored, for my and massaging of the press’ – invited keep his word but had to say opened in 1868). The club took its name he had made an unsuccessful bid members had permitted the debate to own sake, my downfall from lobby correspondents to chat with him so to give Hitler a chance to from St. Stephen’s Chapel, the original for Parliament as a Conservative in collapse. ‘The bells clanged along the an editorial throne whereof at a series of off-the-record luncheons do what he promised and meeting place of the Commons, and Barnstaple.10 Among his commissions corridors and through all the rooms. The the cushions had proved to held at the St. Stephen’s.24 With his to give us time to prepare … Benjamin Disraeli was one of its founding was another building which would Irish members mustered in full force’ be stuffed, even to bursting, éminence grise, Sir Joseph Ball,25 the club It was a great speech and fathers.7 Members were required to play a prominent role in Conservative – but the St. Stephen’s contingent was with thorns. I deplored became an important base in ‘the most very heartening.28 ‘profess and maintain Conservative history: the Grand Hotel at Brighton. His nowhere to be seen. The face of Rowland rather that dinner at the St. sophisticated press management system principles as recognised by the leaders of clubhouse for the St. Stephen’s, finished Winn13 ‘grew stonier and stonier as he Stephen’s, which had left me, until then seen at Downing Street’. The war for which Chamberlain the Conservative Party of Great Britain’. in 1874, was ‘a classical building with stood at the top of the stairway waiting in its consequences, only too Favoured journalists were given two bought Britain time to prepare found However, provision was made for up to boldly corbelled projections’. Inside, it for the hurried tramp of the diners-out.’ appreciably poorer than before 100 non-political members who were was suitably lavish – having to compete But no one came, and Winn only just the soup was served.18 allowed to omit that clause – a striking with Pugin across the road – and made it back himself before the doors departure from the practice of the Carlton Whichcord was later hired to design the closed. The Government had a majority, The St. Stephen’s played host to the and other political clubs of the day, interiors of the Parliament buildings in ‘but it was an exceedingly small one’. composers Tchaikovksy and Saint- but designed to allow members of the Cape Town.11 Investigation revealed that the bell Saëns in 1893. The pair were en Armed Forces or other professions which Conservative MPs soon took to eating wire running along the underground route to Cambridge to be awarded debarred them from professing political at the St. Stephen’s rather than the passage between the Commons and the honorary degrees, but made time to opinions to join. Indeed, the St. Stephen’s Commons – dining, in the words of St. Stephen’s had been cut: conduct a symphony in London for the attracted a ‘surprising blend of Tory Punch’s parliamentary sketch writer, Philharmonic Society, whose directors politicians and consulting engineers’ from ‘something after the fashion of the Of course, it was never – at invited them to dinner at the St. its earliest days.8 This was a period of rapid Children of Israel at Passover time, least, hardly ever – known Stephen’s. ‘It was a sumptuous occasion, growth for Britain’s railways and, with with staff in hand and loins girded’.12 A who did it.14 the meal beginning at seven and ending civil engineers regularly in Parliament division bell was installed in the club’s at eleven-thirty’.19 But the evening went to advise on railway expansion and the dining room, allowing them to reach  on even longer for Tchaikovsky, who legislation it required, a number of them the lobby in good time if needed – but accompanied the Scottish composer were soon elected to the club. Perhaps this was not always a fail-safe plan. On By 1885, the St. Stephen’s had 1,500 Alexander Mackenzie on ‘a long ramble through their influence, the St. Stephen’s one occasion, during the passage of members (the Carlton had 1,600, and through the streets until past one was one of the first clubs to install the annual Mutiny Bill, Irish Members the Junior Carlton 2,100).15 Not all those o’clock in the morning’, discussing electric lighting. Its non-political ranks moved an amendment and made clear who joined were exclusively political: musical matters.20 were further increased in 1914 when the their intention to sit all night in order to early members of the club included the Despite these artistic connections, the premises of the Whitehall Club in Storey’s delay the Bill. ‘In view of this prospect, American-born artist James Whistler club’s main fare was political. By the mid- Gate were requisitioned and many of its a good dinner, leisurely eaten at the St. and Oscar Wilde, who joined in 1877 1880s, the Conservative clubs of London members – mostly professional engineers Stephen’s Club, promised an agreeable while still at Oxford – it was his first ‘were an important source of finance’, and people from related disciplines – and useful break’ for the Conservative London club, and the membership fee and the St. Stephen’s contributed to joined the St. Stephen’s.9 Members: left him short of money.16 After coming Party coffers – albeit rather less than John Whichcord’s plans for the Clubhouse (The Building News, 17 September 1875)

12 Conservative History Journal  Vol. II, Issue 1  Autumn 2012 Conservative History Journal  Vol. II, Issue 1  Autumn 2012 13 St. Stephen’s Club, 1870 – 2012

Sadly, only a small number of the club’s Dictionary of National Biography, (London: Bloomsbury, 2008), p. 120. St. Stephen’s burdened with a and ever-rising costs’ which beset records survived its move in the 1960s Oxford University Press, 2004), but 25 Sir (George) Joseph Ball (1885–1961). considerable overdraft. While the London’s clubs in the 1970s and ’80s and a later flood. I am grateful to Bernard the eminent psephologist F.W.S. Craig Director, Conservative Research membership numbers of the older – but ‘wise and imaginative leadership Moray, the club’s manager, who allowed me lists an H. Gwyn as the unsuccessful Department, 1930–39; Deputy political clubs fared well in the face of brought the Club through the crisis’. to consult them, as well as to Lord Lexden, Conservative candidate (British Chairman, National Publicity Bureau, developing party political organisations, The upper storeys of the clubhouse were Seth Thévoz and Elliot Grainger, all of whom Parliamentary Election Results, 1934–39; Security Executive, 1940–42. newer clubs like the St. Stephen’s saw a converted into offices, releasing money commented on an early draft of this article 1832–1885, London: Macmillan, Lord Lexden is working on a biography dip.29 In 1939, the club decided to lease to restore the club’s fortunes and to 1977). It is possible that Whichcord of this shady but influential figure. 39 unsuccessfully sought the nomination, 26 David Faber, Munich: The 1938 its premises to the Ministry of Works. permit extensive refurbishment. The 1 E.J. Feuchtwanger, Disraeli, Democracy or that he relinquished it before the poll; Appeasement Crisis (London: Simon & It was a shrewd move: other clubs were spruced up club was officially re-opened and the Tory Party: Conservative in either event, he would probably have Schuster, 2008), p. 172. requisitioned, and members of the St. by Margaret Thatcher in July 1984. leadership and organisation after the been unlucky: Barnstaple was a split 27 Michael Dobbs, Winston’s War Stephen’s were able to move back in The introduction of a corporate Second Reform Bill (Oxford: Clarendon two-member constituency, returning (London: HarperCollins, 2011), p. 244. more quickly at the war’s end. But the membership scheme, and the transfer Press, 1968), p. 114. one Conservative and one Liberal that 28 Andrew Roberts, A History of the club’s financial problems continued. A of the day-to-day management of the 2 Sir Charles Petrie, Bt. and Alistair year – and the winning Tory was the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900 Club rules and membership lists Cooke, The Carlton Club, 1832–2007 former MP and local châtelain Sir (London: HarperCollins, 2007), p. 250. pre-war scheme to redevelop its site as club to a new company, the St. Stephen’s (Conservative Party Archive) (London: Carlton Club, 2007), p. 2. George Stucley, Bt. 29 Antonia Taddei, ‘London Clubs in the new headquarters for the Conservative Partnership, kept the club going through 3 H.J. Hanham, Elections and Party 11 Waterhouse, op. cit. Nineteenth Century’, University of Party, part of which the club would the 1990s. In January 2003, it ceased Management: Politics in the time 12 Sir Henry W. Lucy, A Diary Of The Oxford Discussion Papers in Economic occupy, was revived. ‘Winston Churchill Stephen’s Club, but they provide much- to be a proprietary membership club, of Disraeli and Gladstone (London: Home Rule Parliament 1892–1895 and Social History, No. 28 (1999), Table approved. But the London County needed funds.’35 being bought bought by James Wilson Longmans, 1959), pp. 99–100. (London: Cassell & Co., 1896), p. 134. 14. Council planners didn’t. They wanted Merger with the Constitutional Club and Myra Jauncey, who broke its links 4 (See biographical note on p. 30.) Gorst’s 13 Rowland Winn, 1st Baron St. Oswald 30 Lejeune, op. cit., p. 249. Churchill was the site for themselves and opposed any provided a shot in the arm in 1979. with the Conservative Party. They ran it predecessor, Markham Spofforth, (1820–93). MP (C) North Lincolnshire, a member of the St. Stephen’s Club: resigned in March 1870 following 1868–85. Government Whip, 1874–80; accounts and letters relating to his private development.’30 The club gave in: Founded in 1883, the Constitutional as a private members’ luncheon club and a contentious – and unsuccessful – Chief Whip, 1880–85. annual subscription are among his its premises were sold to the Government was even more a product of the late venue for evening functions until 2007, attempt to install his colleague the 14 Sir Henry W. Lucy, Later Peeps at papers at Churchill College, Cambridge for £395,000 at the start of the 1960s. The nineteenth-century extension of the when it was put on the market for £5.5 Hon. C.K. Keith-Falconer as Secretary Parliament: Taken from Behind the (e.g. CHAR 1/47/75 and 1/50/5). ‘squalid Victorian buildings’ were to be franchise. Existing Tory clubs like million. It was bought by the founder of of the Junior Carlton Club. Spofforth Speaker’s Chair (London: George 31 The Rt. Hon. Virginia Bottomley, redeveloped as new offices for Members the Carlton feared that they would a Danish clothing business, Troels Holch ‘became increasingly unpopular with Newnes Ltd., 1905), pp. 4–5. Division ‘Ginny’s New Palace’, Building Review, of Parliament. But decades of ‘delay and become inundated with applications Povlsen. He initially subsidised the many members’ as a result of this bells had been fitted in the Carlton and issue 43 (October 2000), pp. 30–34. indecision’ – exacerbated by plans for from the new voters, so new clubs were club’s losses, but its members – who had intrusion into the club’s affairs, and a Reform Clubs since at least the 1850s. 32 Keith Kyle, Suez: Britain’s End of number of senior figures resigned in (Seth Thévoz, ‘The political impact of Empire in the Middle East (London: the extension of the Jubilee line – meant established to cater for them (and keep by now dwindled to some two hundred protest – which seems to have triggered London clubs, 1832-1868’, forthcoming I.B. Tauris, 2003), p. 605. The present their demolition and replacement with them separate). As The Times explained, – were told at their AGM in November his own resignation as party agent Warwick University Ph.D. thesis (2013), house was built c.1810 in the place of Portcullis House did not begin until the Constitutional Club would be ‘The 2011 that, unless the it was able to break (Feuchtwanger, op. cit., p. 112). ch. 4.) two red brick houses of the Dutch style 1994.31 By then, members of the St. popular club of the Party as opposed to even by the end of 2012, ‘the owner will 5 Feuchtwanger, op. cit., p. 116. 15 Whitaker’s Almanack, cited in Hanham, (similar to the others extant in the Stephen’s were long settled in their new the old and well-established clubs which be left with no alternative but to close 6 Anthony Lejeune, The Gentlemen’s op. cit., p. 101. street) which had fallen into disrepair. abode: 34 Queen Anne’s Gate, a Georgian have necessarily acquired somewhat of an the club.’40 If no investor comes forward Clubs of London (London: MacDonald 16 Richard Ellman, Oscar Wilde (London: This in turn was substantially rebuilt and Jane’s, 1979), p. 245. Penguin, 1988), p. 67. Whitaker’s (1885) and extended in 1910 by the arts and townhouse formerly owned by Lord exclusive character’.36 It was the favourite – either to pay the rent of £100,000 7 The tradition of marking Primrose gives the fee as 20 gn. entrance and 10 craft architect Detmar Blow. Glenconner and Sir Harrison Hughes, club of P.G. Wodehouse, many of whose per annum or purchase the freehold Day on 19 April, the anniversary of gn. per annum. 33 Ferdinand Mount, ‘Too Obviously Bt., a long-serving and ‘notoriously books feature a ‘Senior Conservative of the building – the club will close its Disraeli’s death, originated in the 17 Joseph Pearce, The Unmasking of Cleverer’, London Review of Books, vol. quirkish’ director of the Suez Canal Club’ in Northumberland Avenue.37 This doors for the last time on 21 December club. The botanist and administrator Oscar Wilde (San Francisco: Ignatius 33, no. 17 (8 September 2011). Company.32 The club’s new home was was where the Constitutional was located 2012, shortly after celebrating its 50th Sir George Birdwood, a member Press, 2004), p. 119. 34 Lejeune, op. cit., p. 249. officially opened on 12 December 1962 by – in its distinctive terracotta and yellow anniversary at Queen Anne’s Gate.41 of the club’s committee, suggested 18 R.E. Francillon, Mid-Victorian 35 ibid., pp. 247–9. the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan – neo-gothic edifice – from 1886 until Whether or not such a white knight is that the dining room tables be Memories (London: Hodder & 36 The Times, 4 October 1886. decorated with primroses (reportedly Stoughton, 1914), pp. 232–9. 37 In Leave it to Psmith, for instance, the who ‘took refuge in West End clubs to an 1959. Its sale and demolition in the face found in time, the St. Stephen’s survived Disraeli’s favourite flower) on the first 19 David Brown, Tchaikovsky: vol. IV, The eponymous Old Etonian socialist steals 33 almost pathological extent’. A division of financial difficulties began an itinerant long enough to play one final part in anniversary. This led, the following Final Years, 1885–1893 (London: W.W. an umbrella from the club’s cloakroom bell was installed for tradition’s sake, and chapter for the club, its members lodging Conservative history. David Cameron year, to the practice of decorating his Norton & Co., 1991), p. 467. on the pretext that ‘Other people are MPs and Parliamentary candidates were with the Junior Carlton (1962–3), the regularly used the club for his press statue in Parliament Square with the 20 Cited in Simon Mundy, Tchaikovsky content to talk of the redistribution of offered a reduced subscription rate – as United Services (1963–4), and in the conferences in Opposition, and returned flowers, which continued for many (London: Omnibus Press, 1998), p. 193. property. I go out and do it’ (Everyman were officials from Central Office and the former premises of the Union Club (at there on the morning of 7 May 2010 to years. (Alistair Cooke’s 2010 book, A 21 The St. Stephen’s Review (a weekly edn., 2003, p. 75). Conservative Research Department, then 85–86 St. James’s Street). Four hundred make his ‘big, bold and generous’ offer Gift from the Churchills: The Primrose political magazine unconnected to the 38 Lejeune, op. cit., p. 249. They were not League, 1883–2004 contains further club) of 2 February 1884 reported that the only Tory clubs to combine their around the corner on Old Queen Street. of them were residing at the ‘In & Out’ on to the Liberal Democrats in the wake of information about this and much more the Carlton gave £1,400, the Junior memberships. When the Bath Club and During election campaigns, the Party Piccadilly when the decision was finally the hung parliament. Thus a club which besides.) Carlton about half that sum, but that the Conservative Club merged after the was able to use the St. Stephen’s ‘almost taken to merge with the St. Stephen’s. had played host to Tory Prime Ministers 8 Lejeune, op. cit., p. 245. the St. Stephen’s ‘does not do much’ Second World War, they were vulgarly as a canteen’, with special lunches and Lejeune thought the two clubs would since the time of Disraeli was able to 9 Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert (Hanham, op. cit., p. 374n). referred to as the ‘Lava-Tory’ (Sampson, dinners laid on for Party workers.34 ‘prove a very suitable match, both socially help usher one more Conservative into (eds.), The London Encyclopaedia 22 Andrew Roberts, Salisbury: Victorian op. cit., p. 55). However, the disruption of the club’s and politically’.38 But sadly this marriage Downing Street. (London: Macmillan, 1983), p. 766. Titan (London: Phoenix, 2000), p. 367. 39 ‘St. Stephen’s Constitutional Club’, short 10 There is some confusion over whether 23 Lord Edmund Talbot, the Unionist historical preface to club rules and bye- relocation led to a further drop in could not propel the St. Stephen’s to the he made the poll. Whichcord’s entry in Chief Whip, acted as host. John Grigg, laws by ‘PP’, dated March 2000. numbers. By the 1970s, it was ‘almost top tier of Conservative institutions. It is ■ Stephen Parkinson is Director of the DNB says that he ‘unsuccessfully Lloyd George: War Leader, 1916–1918 40 Email from Martin Day, the club’s empty in the evenings and closed at listed by just 319 entrants in the pages the Conservative History Group. He stood as a Conservative candidate (London: Faber & Faber, 2011 edn.), chairman, to members, 25 November weekends’. The clubland historian of Who’s Who – compared to more was the Conservative candidate for for the Barnstaple constituency’ p. 508. 2011. Anthony Lejeune complained: ‘There than 3,700 for the Carlton. Nor was the Newcastle upon Tyne North at the last (Paul Waterhouse, ‘Whichcord, John 24 Lynne Olson, Troublesome Young 41 Minutes of an Extra General Meeting of are perhaps too many conferences at St. St. Stephen’s immune from the ‘inflation general election. (1823–1885)’, rev. John Elliott, Oxford Men: The Churchill Conspiracy of 1940 the St. Stephen’s Club, 2 August 2012.

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