Social History — C. 1948
Badge, lapel badge
The anti-socialist 'Vermin Club' was founded by members of the Conservative Party in response to a speech given by the Labour Minister of Health Aneurin Bevan in 1948. Speaking at a Labour Party rally in Belle Vue, Manchester, Bevan blamed the poverty of his South Wales upbringing on the Tories who he described as 'lower than vermin'.
Bevan's speech was met with hysterical coverage in the tabloid press which inspired the formation of the Vermin Club. The grassroots organisation mushroomed reaching a membership of over 100,000 at its height. The first national gathering of the club's local branches or 'nests' was held at Caxton Hall, London, on 6 August 1948. Life membership of the club cost two shillings. Lapel badges like this one featuring rats and other vermin were worn by club members.
- Category:
- Social History
- Object ID:
- 74.410/63
- Object name:
- badge, lapel badge
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Gaunt, J.R.
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- c. 1948
- Material:
metal
- Measurements/duration:
- H 21 mm, L 20 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
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