Part of History

"My hope is that I may pave the way for other women who aspire to enter Parliament...... to establish the right of enfranchised women not only to vote, but to sit in Parliament with lasting advantage to the nation." Nancy Astor 1919

On 1 December 1919 Virginian-born Nancy Astor (1879-1964) took her seat in the House of Commons for the very first time. In doing so she ensured that will always have a place in Parliamentary history.

As the first female MP to take a seat, she heralded a new era for women in British politics - opening a door for those with future ambitions to hold cabinet positions, parliamentary roles, party leadership, even the highest rank of them all: Prime Minister.

The twentieth century had already seen a number of unparalleled achievements for women and this was another pioneering event to add to that list.

As we mark Parliament Week 2013 (15 to 21 November), the information panels in this case and the one positioned on the opposite side of the Museum and Art Gallery's foyer look at her 1919 election campaign in more detail.

If you'd like to find out more about Nancy Astor's life you can visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/nancyastor This website was originally created in support of our summer 2013 exhibition, 'Nancy: The Life and Times of Lady Astor' and remains online as a legacy from the project. It contains summary information and images about Nancy and the people she was connected with, plus downloads of all the graphic panels, accounts and biographies from the exhibition.

If you'd like to find out more about Parliament Week you can visit www.parliamentweek.org Paving the Way

"I have tried in the past to give you my best...... today I again offer you my best." Waldorf Astor officially announcing his retirement as an MP and introducing Nancy to the Sutton Division Conservative and Unionist Council Monday 3 November 1919

Between 1918 and 1919, three things happened that helped pave the way for Nancy Astor's move into politics.

Firstly, in February 1918 the Representation of the People Act was extended to allow women over 30 the right to vote if they owned a house or were married to someone who did.

As a result of this 8 million women joined the British electorate. 17,175 of these were living in Plymouth Sutton - the ward that Nancy ended up representing. This was a slight majority over the number of men who totalled 16,986.

Secondly, the 1918 Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act was passed, allowing women to stand as candidates and be elected as MPs. The Irish Republican, Countess Constance Markiewicz was successful in the General Election that took place that year. However, as a member of Sinn Fein she did not take her seat.

Thirdly, in 1919 Nancy's father-in-law William Waldorf, the first Viscount, died. He had been a member of the since 1916.

Nancy's husband Waldorf, who had sat in the House of Commons since 1910, suddenly found himself in the unhappy position of having to take his father's place. The Conservatives found themselves needing a new representative for Plymouth Sutton. After some debate, and with Waldorf's blessing, Nancy was formally adopted as their candidate. An Unlikely Candidate

"If ever I had to choose a constituency it would be the Sutton Division. I love Plymouth, it reminds me so much of my home in America." Nancy Astor 1919

In many respects Nancy was an unusual choice for the Conservatives and an even more unlikely candidate to become an MP.

• She was American, not British

• She had been divorced (she was married to fellow American Robert Gould Shaw II from 1897 to 1903)

• She was from a predominantly rural background

• She was not University educated

• She had an independent streak and was not a typical Tory

In short, she was a stark contrast to the typical MP of post-First World War Britain.

However, as the public and Parliament were soon to find, she also had a number of qualities that made her a serious contender.

• She had a flair for the dramatic and could hold an audience

• She was witty, knew how to banter and could hold her own with hecklers

• She was a mother of six and already known for doing good in Plymouth having established a series of maternity centres and crèches

• Her campaign was steered by her husband Waldorf who had a strong sense of public service and who owned The Observer

She also had a strong work ethic. During her 1919 campaign and the six further campaigns she undertook throughout her time in Parliament, she spent hours touring the streets, canvassing in all kinds of weather, and was not afraid to go into the poorest parts of her constituency. The Opposition

"I ought to feel sorry for Mr. Foot and Mr. Gay, but I don't. The only one I feel sorry for is the poor old Viscount here!" Nancy Astor giving her victory speech 28 November 1919

Nancy Astor had two opponents in her 1919 election campaign.

Mr. William Gay (Labour) William Gay was a Plymouth-born factory manager and Co-operative member who had previously stood against Waldorf.

He was serious and disciplined with a reputation for plain speaking and used his Socialist values and statistical information to get his point across in his speeches.

Nancy viewed him as her main competitor. He held a number of successful rallies during the final week of the election which lost her some ground - although as Polling Day drew closer positive press reports helped her get back on track.

Mr. Isaac Foot (Liberal) Isaac Foot was a well-known and well respected Plymouth-based solicitor, husband and father of seven.

He was considered to be a highly competent public speaker who was dedicated to community service. Late to the contest, he behaved in a very gentlemanly way towards Nancy - even when she tried her best to tarnish his reputation. This was possibly a sign that he was unsure of her or did not see her as a threat.

Although not on a par with the Astors' fortune he was wealthy with a good sense of humour and similar spiritual values to Nancy. However, he was very critical of Prime Minister, David Lloyd George - a man who she held in high regard.

In the end neither William Gay or Isaac Foot were a match for the woman from Virginia: “I think that (you) had better put a woman in the House of Commons. Much as I love you, Gentlemen, you have made a muddle of the world without us...... (if) you can’t get a fighting man…...... you’d best take a fighting woman. That’s me.”

The story of Nancy Astor's 1919 election campaign continues in the case directly opposite this on the other side of the foyer. The Campaign Trail

"We are going...... to put in the first woman member of Parliament. We are going to send the first woman MP of England." Dr Mabel Ramsay Friday 14 November 1919

The story of Nancy Astor's 1919 election campaign begins in the case directly opposite this on the other side of the foyer.

Not surprisingly, a key element of Nancy's campaign focused on targeting female voters. From 4 to 13 November 1919 she held a series of women's meetings at times of the day that were especially designed to cater for busy mums who had homes and children to look after. These smaller meetings culminated in a larger final meeting at the Guildhall on Friday 14 November. The meeting was chaired by Dr Mabel Ramsay - a prominent local citizen known for her concerns with suffrage issues. The Guildhall was packed and those unable to get in overflowed into the courtyard outside.

Aside from this final meeting which had an organised structure, the gatherings were informal and interactive and took place in a variety of venues from parish halls and school rooms to courtyards and church yards.

Nancy used the meetings to try and highlight the common roles and values of the women and draw them together. The females from her constituency were from working class backgrounds and were not used to someone so wealthy – but she held her nerve with any hecklers or interrupters and used her sense of humour to try and cross some of the class and cultural barriers.

If you'd like to find out more about Dr Mabel Ramsay, who chaired the last Women's Meeting of Nancy Astor's 1919 campaign and who has an amazing story of her own, why not come to our Lunchtime Talk by Hilary Preston on Tuesday 19 November from 1.10pm to 2pm? Hilary is a member of Soroptomist International - a worldwide organisation working for the benefit of women and children. Nancy Astor was a founding member of the Plymouth and District branch of the Soroptomists. Tickets for the talk are just £2 per person and are available from our Welcome Desk. You can also visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/museumlectures for more details. Being Visible

A woman for economy A lady for Parliament Astor for Plymouth One of Nancy's 1919 campaign slogans

As well as women voters, the ward of Plymouth Sutton included railwaymen, fishermen, servicemen, chemical workers and a population whose livelihoods had been based around the Dockyard. 6,000 of these had found themselves unemployed at the end of the First World War, as a peacetime economy left future plans for the Dockyard uncertain.

Nancy recognised that visibility was important if she wanted to secure their votes and so she attended as many large events as she could - turning up to football matches, church bazaars and street gatherings and giving speeches in venues as varied as gasworks, wharves and marine barracks.

These events were much more political and issue-based than her women's meetings and she received her fair share of heckling and criticism. Once again, her personality and character came to the fore and she gave as good as she got when challenged by members of the crowd.

Her campaign was followed with interest by the newspapers. She also had the support of other members of the Conservative and Unionist Council, a number of volunteers, friends and family members - many of whom spoke on her behalf.

Best of all she had Waldorf. Serious, organised and fair he was a steadying influence on her and already had nearly a decade of experience as an MP himself. He gave her as much advice and guidance as he could, wrote many of her speeches and acted as her campaign manager.

Although many books state that Nancy often took him for granted throughout their marriage she did recognise what he had done for her: “I must confess to you in all modesty that the chief reason of my being elected was not me, but my husband (who is) a quite exceptionally noble, kind and clever man.” The First Female MP

Yankee Doodle had a son They said, "Now who's your fancy?" He said, "I'm off the lower deck, And so I'll vote for Nancy" Short song about Nancy Astor's campaign

Polling Day for the 1919 General Election was a bitterly cold Saturday 15 November. Nancy voted for herself at 9am. In total there were 40 polling booths scattered across 14 Plymouth districts. The booths were open for 12 hours.

A waiting period of two weeks followed while all the votes were counted. During this time there was much speculation in the press and Parliament about the final outcome. Nancy spent time at her Cliveden residence in Buckinghamshire, resting and spending time with her children before returning to Plymouth with Waldorf and their oldest son Bill, aged 12, in time for the results which were announced on 28 November. They were:

Viscountess Astor (Coalition Unionist) - 14,495 Mr. W. T. Gay (Labour) - 9,292 Mr. Isaac Foot (Liberal) - 4,139

Nancy had secured victory with a majority of 5,203. She was introduced to Parliament on 1 December 1919 and gave her Maiden Speech on 24 February 1920. It was the start of a political career that would last for a quarter of a decade.

During that time she would prove to be unconventional but hard working. Two proposed Bills relating to the control of prostitution and raising the school leaving age did not make it past their first readings. She made history once again in 1923 though, when she became the first woman to steer a Private Members' Bill in all its stages through Parliament with the Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons under Eighteen) Bill.

She understood the importance of her presence in Parliament and did much to support a number of social reforms and causes including votes for women over 21, female police officers, nursery schools, prison and probation service reform.

She was loved, hated, admired and disapproved of - but ultimately could never really be ignored. A Place in Parliament

"When ladies seek to be MPs And in the House to frisk They may be 'stars', but still it is A kind of Astor-risk!" Short poem from the Winning Post Saturday 8 November 1919

Although she wasn't an obvious choice the combination of Nancy's strong speaking skills, clearly identifiable public persona, supportive followers and ability to deal with the challenges presented by her opponents, a hostile crowd and a demanding press ensured her victory in 1919 - as well as hers and Plymouth's place in Parliamentary history.

It would be nearly two years before she was joined in the House of Commons by another female MP. Mrs Margaret Wintringham (1879-1955), a Liberal representing Louth in Lincolnshire, succeeded her late husband Thomas and took her seat two benches behind Nancy in October 1921. Things continued to change. In the 1945 election that took place after Nancy retired, 24 female MPs took their seats in the House of Commons. Today there are 147.

Including 1919 Nancy was the voter's choice in seven consecutive elections. She enjoyed further successes in November 1922, December 1923, October 1924, May 1929, October 1931 and November 1935. She announced her resignation on 29 November 1944 on the advice of her husband. Although it would prove to be a wise decision, she was reluctant to leave.

Nancy's entry into the House of Commons coincided with a time of great change in British society - change that had a long-lasting impact on the status of women and the role of government, all set against a backdrop of the turbulence of the First and Second World Wars.

The Prime Ministers she served under are the people we learn about today in our history lessons: David Lloyd George, Bonar Law, Stanley Baldwin, Ramsay MacDonald, Neville Chamberlain and the great Winston Churchill.

She represented Plymouth Sutton in Parliament for 25 years. www.plymouth.gov.uk/nancyastor