| Description | Elizabeth Taylor Cadbury begins this paper by remarking on the political situation in Birmingham, commenting that the Conservative Party had held every seat in the city since the Home Rule split in 1885. Taylor Cadbury comments on the enlargement of Birmingham's administrative boundaries in 1911 which had brought Kings Norton, previously a ward within the North Worcestershire Division which held a Liberal seat, 'under the shadow of Birmingham'.
Taylor Cadbury remarks on the pressure from local Liberals which had persuaded her to stand as a candidate in the General Election. Commenting on the support she had received from like-minded people interested in 'social questions', Taylor Cadbury writes that she stood 'as a Representative of Ideals'. Referring to her connections with 'exponents of Labour policy', Taylor Cadbury remarks that she had 'often felt a strong inclination to join the Labour Party'. However, she writes that following events at the Kings Norton election she had realised the 'vital need for a Progressive Liberal Party'.
Taylor Cadbury draws a contrast between the strategies employed by the Liberal and Conservative parties to gain support in the election, describing how the Conservative Party appealed to Midland manufacturers through their focus on Tariff Reform. She refers particularly to the lack of scruples exercised by members of the Labour Party who had launched 'personal attacks' on her and 'appealed largely to Self-interest'.
Remarking on the progressive nature of Liberal employers, Taylor Cadbury criticises the 'antagonism' and 'distrust' amongst the Labour Party which impeded 'real progress'. She concludes her paper by advocating 'a strong rejuvenated Progressive Liberalism' and supporting the beliefs of Liberal reformers. |