West Midland Liberal Federation: papers

This material is held atUniversity of Birmingham, Cadbury Research Library, Special Collections

Scope and Content

Minutes, 1894-1935; cash books, 1894-1895; petty cash books with names of subscribers, 1894-1958; cash receipt books, 1947-1958; General Election papers, 1945-1959; Small Heath by-election papers, 1961; municipal elections papers, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, West Midland, 1962; Liberal Clubs in the West Midland region, 1950-1956; West Midland Young Liberals correspondence, 1950-1954; papers of monthly Federation and Executive Officers' meetings and Annual general Meetings, 1948-1960; miscellaneous correspondence and printed papers relating to general business, 1948-1961; papers of the West Midland Women's Liberal Federation, 1948-1961.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Midland Liberal Federation was formed at an inaugural meeting held in Birmingham on 23 May 1894. The meeting was attended by delegates from Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. According to its rules and constitution of 1930, its primary object was "to create and maintain Liberal opinion and conviction by means of Meetings, Conferences, and discussions; to stimulate Liberal thought and ideas and to secure the co-operation of all persons in general sympathy with progressive politics".

The Federation worked with and assisted the affiliated Liberal Associations in the parliamentary constituencies within its geographical area. It also coordinated with other District Federations and with the National Liberal Federation. By 1930, the area of the Midland Federation no longer encompassed Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. The Federation appears to have been reconstituted as the West Midland Liberal Federation by 1947.

Reference: Minute books of the Midland Liberal Federation

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically within document types.

Access Information

Open. Access to all registered researchers.

Acquisition Information

This collection was deposited in 1967.

Other Finding Aids

See full catalogue for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the University Archivist, Special Collections. Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Special Collections will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.

Accruals

Further deposits are not expected.