The Progressive Party was a political party aligned to the Liberal Party that contested municipal elections in the United Kingdom.

History

Progressive election poster, 1907

It was founded in 1888 by a group of Liberals and leaders of the labour movement. It was also supported by the Fabian Society, and Sidney Webb was one of its councillors. In the first elections of the London County Council (LCC) in January 1889 the Progressive Party won 70 of the 118 seats. It lost power in 1907 to the Municipal Reform Party (a Conservative organisation) under Richard Robinson.

Progressive Party poster protesting high rates

Leaders

1889: Thomas Farrer[1]
1890: James Stuart[1]
1892: Charles Harrison[1]
1898: Thomas McKinnon Wood[1]
1908: John Benn[1]
1918: John Scott Lidgett[1]

Members

London Reform Union

In 1892 the London Reform Union was formed as the propaganda arm of the party.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Gibbon, Gwilym; Bell, Reginald William (1939). History of the London County Council, 1889-1939. London: Macmillan. p. 668.
  2. ^ McBriar, A.M. (1962). Fabian socialism and English politics, 1884-1918. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 197.
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