Papers of Alan Clayton Barker relating to the Midland Union of Conservative Associations

This small collection contains papers retained by Alan Clayton Barker whilst in his role as Secretary of the Midland Union of Conservative Associations. Material includes correspondence; forms of regret and acceptance for meetings and dinners; Christmas cards from Neville Chamberlain and his wife Anne (Annie); and a printed book 'Notes on the organisation of election meetings', by A. Clayton Barker.

Information about Alan Clayton Barker:

Alan Clayton Barker was educated at Denbigh Lodge Collegaite School and King Edward's High School, Birmingham. He was first associated with the Midland Union of Conservative Associations in 1896 when he became a premium pupil under Mr J. C. Shaw. Barker later became Assistant Secretary and subsequently Secretary of the Association. He took part in General Elections and Bye-Elections, and was in charge of the Meetings Departments. Barker organised the foundation of the West Midlands Federation of the Junior Imperials League in 1926. He became the first Co-Hon. Secretary of the Labour Advisory Committee for the West Midlands Area. In 1907 Barker was elected a member of the Midland Association of Conservative and Unionist Agents, and later became Vice-Chairman, and then Chairman and Treasurer. Barker also organised and supported the Week-End Schools for the juniors; did a considerable amount of lecturing; and published a number of books dealing with political organisations.

[Information taken from reference: MUCA/1. See also MUCA/95 which is a letter about the devoted duties of Alan Clayton Barker to the Midland Union of Conservative Associations]

Information about the Midland Union of Conservative Associations:

The National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations was founded in 1867. The Midland Union was one of a number of area organisations which made up the National Union organisation. Between 1886 and 1930 the Midland Union covered most of the counties in the West and East Midlands. Separate provincial Areas were established in 1930, after which the name Midland Union continued to be used for the West Midlands Area only. However, by the 1950s the Midland Union only comprised 58 constituencies in the West Midlands. As a result this provincial Area decided to adopt the name used for it by Conservative Central Office since 1931- the West Midlands Area.

References: Bodleian Library's web page about the Conservative Party Archive (http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/scwmss/cpa/ and http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/scwmss/wmss/online/modern/cpa/are/are.html#are.E )

Name changes:

There appears to have been several name changes. Mentions of the Midland Union of Conservative Associations have been found in documents dating 1888-1914. The Midland Unionist Association is the name found in documents dating 1918-1925. Documents 1926-1927 lists the name as the Midland Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations, and in documents dating 1931 it is recorded as the Midland Union & Conservative Association. [Information taken from items in MS884 and MUCA collections].

MS884/1: Correspondence
MS884/2: Forms of regret and acceptance
MS884/3: Christmas and New Year cards
MS884/4: Printed book

Open, access to all registered researchers.

Papers given to the Cadbury Research Library by the granddaughter of Alan Clayton Barker, July 2015

Please see full catalogue for more information.

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Director of Special Collections (email: special-collections@contacts.bham.ac.uk). Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.

Papers of the Midland Union of Conservative Associations retained by Alan Clayton Barker in his role as Secretary for the Association.

Cadbury Research Library also holds other papers of the Midland Union of Conservative Associations (see reference: MUCA)

Associated Materials
Special Collections and Western Manuscripts, Bodleian Library holds the Conservative Party Archive (GB 0161 CPA), including archives of both the National Union and Area Offices.