Suffragettes campaigning during the Newcastle by-election, September 1908

Suffragettes campaigning during the Newcastle by-election, September 1908. The image shows Suffragettes addressing a crowd of men and women from the back of cart. Such campaigning in public required courage. On 8th September Emmeline Pankhurst in Newcastle to address a similar meeting had to be rescued by baton wielding police from a hostile crowd of 6000.

Pro-female Suffrage organisations adopted a policy of urging electors to vote against the Liberal Government. During by-elections and general elections local branches would campaign vigorously through mass leafleting voters, organising public meetings, arranging for guest speakers from National Headquarters and heckling other candidates to force them to declare their position on votes for women.