Source Six: Extract from the front page of 'The Suffragette' newspaper

The Suffragette

EDITED BY CHRISTABEL PANKHURST

The Official Organ of the Women’s Social and Political Union

VOL. I-No.6 FRIDAY,      NOVEMBER 22, 1912     Price 1d. Weekly (Post free 1½d)

The Hero of the Hour— Mr. Lansbury Fights for Woman Suffrage

[Photograph of George Lansbury addressing a meeting]

Caption: A striking photograph of Mr. George Lansbury addressing a meeting in favour of Votes for Women. Mr. Lansbury resigned his seat in order to fight Bow and Bromley in the interests of Woman Suffrage. The contest will stand out in history as a great political landmark in the fight for women’s Freedom seeing that it is the first occasion on which a Parliamentary seat has solely been contested on this issue, and that it was brought about in order to make the election a Women’s Suffrage test.  The members of the W.S.P.U. have played a prominent part in supporting and working for Mr. Lansbury.

THE GREAT WOMAN SUFFRAGE FIGHT IN EAST LONDON

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

History is in the making at Bow and Bromley. Weary of the insincerity and trickery of Party politicians in dealing with the great question of the Enfranchisement of Women, an honest man has cut himself from Party trammels and is seeking re-election as an Independent Woman Suffrage Candidate. If re-elected Mr. Lansbury will put up the first real fight ever fought in the House of Commons for the political liberty of women. All Suffragists say God-speed to Lansbury.

To all the men and women of Bow and Bromley, we say in the words of the W.S.P.U. election address:–“We believe that they will join hands with Mr. Lansbury in making this a women’s election. Each man will remember what his mother and his wife has done for him, and he will pay back the debt by voting for the Women’s Candidate this time. By voting for Mr. Lansbury every man will be helping to make the world a happier and safer place for his daughters.

Let all men and women of Bow and Bromley band themselves together against the Party politicians, and send Mr. Lansbury, the champion of the working men and women, back to Parliament to fight the women’s battle against unscrupulous and dishonest politicians.”

GOOD LUCK TO LANSBURY—THE SUFFRAGE CANDIDATE

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Extract from the front page of ‘The Suffragette’ newspaper, dated 22 November 1912 (Catalogue ref: ASSI 52/212)

  1. What has George Lansbury, Member of Parliament for Bow & Bromley, decided to do to support votes for women?
  2. How does the language and tone used in this newspaper show its support for George Lansbury?