Parties, Agents and Electoral Culture in England, 1880-1910

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   Parties, Agents And Electoral Culture In England, 1880-1910 - Kathryn Rix

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The electoral reforms of 1883-5 created a mass electorate and transformed English political culture. A new breed of professional organisers emerged in the form of full-time party agents in the constituencies, who handled registration, electioneering and the day-to-day political, social and educational work of local parties. This book examines the agents not only as political figures, but also as men (and occasionally women) determined to establish their status as professionals; they performed a vital role as intermediaries between politics at Westminster and at grass-roots level, bridging the gap between "high" and "low" politics. This study of their activities addresses key questions about the nationalisation of electoral politics in this period, demonstrating the importance of understanding the interactions between the centre and the constituencies. While the agents' professional networks contributed to a growing uniformity in certain aspects of party organisation, this research also underscores the continued significance of local forces in British political life. Overall, the focus on this previously neglected group provides a fresh perspective on the evolution of the modern British political system, shedding new light on debates about how effectively the Liberal and Conservative parties adapted to the challenges of mass politics after 1885.