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Professor Russell Deacon Provides a Short History of Some of the More it wasn’t onLy LLoyD GeorGe’s Daughters weProfessor Russell DeaconL providess a short historyH of some ofwo the more prominent WelshM female Liberal enpoliticians (1890–1988) LiberaLs y the time that the daughter of the leading Welsh Lib- and, in Victorian Liberal politics, Welsh Liberals became eral MP and later peer D. A. Tho- the main priority was to expand the Welsh Liberal Dem- mas, in her autobiography looked the franchise of men. Although the ocrats, in 1988, there had back on her childhood and noted: franchise was broadened, first to been well over a hundred urban males and then to rural males, BWelsh Liberal MPs – and they had ‘What,’ as a contemporary there always remained a strong garnered virtually every top politi- remarked, ‘is the use of college for voice, both within the Liberal Party cal position that British politics had a girl? You don’t want to become and outside it, against extending the to offer. These ranged from that Chancellor of the Exchequer!’ I vote to women. Even the Women’s of party leader to the government had no word to answer her with, Liberal Federation was split into posts of Home Secretary, Chancel- and I had no idea at the time why two in 1893 when the anti-suffrage lor and prime minister. In addition, the remark irritated me so much female Liberals formed the Wom- Liberal councillors at one time or … It never occurred to me that, en’s National Liberal Federation another had been the chairs of coun- or something akin to it, was – and the latter remained wholly cils and/or mayors of every county, exactly what, somewhere deep opposed to the universal franchise town and city in Wales. Even to even the down inside me, I did want to and in particular the campaigning this day, their presence can be seen become.2 tactics of the militant suffragettes.4 in statues, the names of parks, road women’s The passing of the Second signs, public buildings and even In the Victorian and Edward- Reform Act of 1867, as well as the name of the occasional public Liberal Fed- ian period women were not only significantly increasing the urban house. But all of the names on these excluded from elected office but male electorate, also changed the visible reminders of Liberal history eration was were expected either to bow out way in which the political par- are male. What, therefore, of female of political activity entirely on ties were run.5 From that point Welsh Liberals? Do they also have a split into marriage or simply to endorse on, both general and local coun- place in history, albeit one that has the political party of their hus- cil elections would become more not been so publicly recognised? two in 1893 band. Victorian social thought competitive and organised along Lady Megan Lloyd George was cer- placed great emphasis on what was more overtly political lines. This tainly the most visible and famous when the regarded as the ‘natural’ separation was due to the fact that parlia- woman in Welsh Liberal politics, of the spheres between the sexes. mentary and local government but she was not the only one. This anti-suffrage This in turn ensured a rigid sexual elections became more regularly short article will therefore seek to female Liber- division of labour.3 Education, reli- contested than before.6 Politically provide some short biographical gion and the role models set by their there was now a need to campaign information concerning some of the als formed mothers and fathers also reinforced on an almost permanent basis, and more notable female Welsh Liberals, this divide. Any political ambitions as a result permanent Liberal Asso- including, of course, Lady Megan. the women’s that women did have were depend- ciations were established across ent upon the blessing of their hus- Wales in each constituency, rather national bands or fathers. As a result, political than the ad hoc election committees Welsh women Liberals, 1890– development for the Welsh women that had existed beforehand. These 19451 Liberal Liberals was nearly always tied up constituency associations then pro- Margaret Haig Mackworth, 2nd closely with what males and soci- vided a forum in female Liberals Viscountess Rhondda (1883–1958), Federation. ety at the time deemed acceptable; could be active. 38 Journal of Liberal History 71 Summer 2011 it wasn’t onLy LLoyD GeorGe’s Daughters weProfessor Russell DeaconL providess a short historyH of some ofwo the more prominent WelshM female Liberal enpoliticians (1890–1988) LiberaLs The majority of local associa- Nora Phillips was a founder of the as well as cause.11 After Thomas was enno- tions were affiliated to the Women’s Women’s Institute, Pembrokeshire bled as Viscount Rhondda in 1910, Liberal Federation (WLF) and the president of the Welsh Industry wishing to Sybil became the first Viscountess Welsh Union of Women’s Lib- Association and Lady President Rhondda. As well as her suffrage eral Associations (WUWLA) or of the 1913 National Eisteddfod. extend the activities, she also later took on local branches of the Liberal Social Although she was English by birth, prominent roles as chairwoman of Councils which brought both men she later developed a great fondness franchise to the wartime government’s Wom- and women together for social for Welsh folk law and became an en’s Advisory Committee and of the events. At the regional level, the accomplished public speaker and women they National Savings Committee. South Wales and North Wales Lib- gave recitals of music and poetry Their only daughter Margaret eral Federations also had female across Wales.9 Phillips contributed were particu- also followed in the family’s politi- sections. By the mid-1890s the a regular column on women’s inter- larly keen on cal footsteps and was a keen Liberal WUWLA comprised some 9,000 ests in the Liberal Young Wales mag- until her marriage to her Conserva- members from fifty-seven con- azine. So prominent was Phillips furthering tive husband, Humphrey Mack- stituency associations.7 From 1891 in both Welsh and British Liberal worth, in 1908. Social convention they held an annual conference in Party business and campaigns that employment at the time meant that she had to Wales where they pursued their she would undoubtedly have been a resign from the Liberals and sup- own political agenda, which did Liberal MP in her own right if she rights for port the Conservatives; however not always coincide with that of the had had the opportunity. she didn’t support their cause for wider party. As well as wishing to The prominence that English- women. long, instead taking up the cause extend the franchise to women they born women, such as Phillips, held of female suffrage in the Women’s were particularly keen on further- in promoting the suffrage move- Social and Political Union (WSPU). ing employment rights for women. ment in Wales meant that Welsh Membership of the WSPU prohib- To this end, they campaigned that opponents of suffrage claimed that ited membership of political par- both no ‘limitations should be the movement was nothing more ties until after universal suffrage placed on the hours and conditions than an ‘alien English imposition’. was gained for women. Margaret of labour of women’ which was This argument was rebuffed, how- therefore threw herself into the not ‘also imposed on men’ and that ever, by the fact that there were heart of the protest movement, not female rather than male inspectors also plenty of Evanses, Davieses only taking part in protest marches, be employed to protect the welfare and Thomases on the list of the suf- but also jumping onto the run- of women in factories and other fragettes’ supporters.10 The most ning board of Liberal Prime Min- workplaces.8 prominent of the Liberal Welsh ister Herbert Asquith’s car in St In 1892, Mrs Nora Phillips, as names were Sybil and Margaret Andrews and setting fire to pillar president of the WUWLA, became Haig Thomas. Sybil was wife of boxes. These activities resulted in the first Welsh female Liberal politi- ‘D. A.’ Thomas – the Merthyr Tyd- her serving a period of time in Usk cian to come to public prominence. fil, and later Cardiff, Liberal MP prison. None of this campaigning, She was the first wife of Sir Wyn- and South Wales rival to David however, prevented Margaret, a ford Phillips, who was MP initially Lloyd George. Sybil, a passion- successful women in her own right, for Mid-Lanarkshire (1888–92) and ate Conservative before her mar- from becoming a politician. Upon later for Pembrokeshire (1898–1908). riage to ‘D. A.’ in 1882, had now the death of her father in 1918 she Amongst her many achievements, become an advocate of the Liberal was allowed by the King (through Journal of Liberal History 71 Summer 2011 39 weLsH woMen LiberaLs a Special Remainder) to become a help women get elected to the West- the cam- elected, becoming the first female peeress in her own right – Baroness minster parliament because women Welsh councillor and, in 1912, the Rhondda of Llanwern. Margaret would not be able to stand as candi- paign for first female Welsh mayor, of Bre- was now one of the few peeresses dates until 1918. con17. These were two notable firsts; for whom the title could pass down Despite being barred from elec- universal suf- despite this promising start, how- through the female line, although in tion to parliament, Welsh female ever, Welsh female Liberals would the event she had no children, so the Liberals still played an active role frage, which make slow progress in gaining title ended with her.
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