| Main Performers | (Mrs Henry) Millicent Fawcett,
David. Lloyd George MP
Mrs Philip Snowden,
The Earl of Lytton - speakers |
| Set List | An hour of Suffrage Songs,
Address (Mrs Henry, Millicent Fawcett LLD),
Speech (Right Honorable David Lloyd George MP),
Speech (Mrs Philip Snowden),
Speech (Earl of Lytton),
Questions (to be sent up to the platform).
'Auld Lang Syne',
'God Save the King' (The National Anthem) |
| Performance Notes | The speakers at this event included David Lloyd George and Millicent Fawcett. The Times (7 February 1912) described in advance plans for the meeting;
'A special scheme of decoration is being arranged by the Artists' Suffrage League, which will emphasize the national character of the Union by including the names of the affiliated societies in all parts of the country. Many of the banners which were carried in the procession last June will also be used on this occasion. Inquiries have been received as to whether the National Union is demanding a signed pledge from ticket holders not to disturb the meeting. It is demanding so such pledge; the meeting is a public meeting in the full sense of the word, and no disturbances are anticipated. In adopting this course the National Union has the consent of Mr Lloyd George. All the stewards will be women.'
"Mr Lloyd George is to be the chief speaker at a demonstration at the Albert Hall tonight to claim 'the enfranchisement of women in 1912'. The meeting has been organised by the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies and the London Society for Women's Suffrage. The National Union does not anticipate disturbance. The expedient of demanding signed pledges has not been resorted to, and Mr Lloyd George concurs with this decision. The stewards will all be women. Questions which are sent up to the platform in writing will be answered at the end of the meeting."
(The Times, 23 February 1912)
"The front of the platform was adorned with red and white flowers, which combined with their foliage to form a rich border of the suffrage colours. The colours appeared again in the sashes of the white robed choir and in the gorgeous banner of the National Union behind them. For half an hour the choir kept the assembly interested and partly occupied in the singing of suffrage songs to popular airs. For example, the tune of 'Comin' thro' the rhy'', was set to the words;
If a body pays the taxes,
Surely you'll agree,
That a body earns the franchise,
Whether he or she.'
The Chairman said their great cause was marching on to victory. (Cheers) The end of the women's struggle for political enfranchisement could not be long postponed. Some said that the end would come with confused noise and garments rolled in blood, but she said it would not come in that way if they had statesmen worthy of the name who could realise the depth and intensity of the women's movement for enfranchisement (Cheers). The grant of their claim was now necessitated by the changes which had taken place in the educational, social, and industrial position of women. They of the National Union believed that on November 17 the Prime Minister had made them very great and important promises.(CHEERS)
'What a blessing it would be to the country if the thousands of devoted women who were giving themselves to this great cause were set free to give their time and energy to the promotion of happiness and well-being of the community in other ways! (Hear, hear). The movement of women for political freedom was one of the greatest events that had ever taken place in history. (Cheers) It was not local or national, but world-wide. (Cheers). It was far too big a thing to be cribbed, cabined, or confined within the limits of party in this country. It found supporters in all parties. (Cheers) Referring to the forthcoming demonstration at the Albert Hall against woman suffrage, the Chairman said that she could not help reflecting that a good many of the famous advertised in connexion with that meeting belonged to a class who might be classified as extinct volcanoes. (Laughter and cheers)
Lloyd George made a speech (with many interruptions) promising that women's suffrage would come but they had to be patient."
(The Times, 24 February 1912)
£5,280 was collected in the interval.
The NUWSS had decided to support the Labour party in January 1912 as a protest against Asquith's refusal to support women's suffrage.
A Programme for this event is held at The Women's Library, LSE, 10/54/095
The Hall was decorated by the Artists' Suffrage League with shields devised for the Federation of the National Union, the London Society, the Irish Women Suffragists and the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. |