The Conciliation Bill, 1910

• In 1910 there were two elections so the Parties were hunting down votes
• The NUWSS and WSPU worked together to get the Government to set up a Conciliation Committee
• Pankhurst stopped the WSPU militant activities
• The Committee was made up of politicians from the House of Commons
• It was their job to draft the Bill so it was acceptable to all parties
• NUWSS worked closely with the Committee

January 1910: General Election

• Mrs Fawcett (NUWSS) believed Liberals would be willing to listen to them due to the election coming up
• In the run up to the election over 300 MPs pledged support for women's suffrage
• March: A petitions with 250,000 signatures was presented in House of Commons
• The WSPU truce allowed the Bill to be drafted peacefully
• June: Fawcett led deputation to see Asquith
• However he was evasive about the New Bill
• This caused Fawcett to be pessimistic about the Bill's chances

The Bill's Second Reading

• July: Due for second reading
• NUWSS became skillful at juggling both the Suffragettes and Liberals hostility
• There were 39 speeches for and against the Bill
• Both Winston Churchill and Lloyd George were against the Bill
• It passed the second reading with 100 people majority
• However Asquith then said there was no time for further discussion
• It was suspended till November

Black Friday 1910

• WSPU truce was called…