The Split

During the summer of 1907, Mrs Pankhurst and Christabel did not openly press their differences with Mrs Despard and Mrs Cobden Sanderson, but it became increasingly clear that the Union was no longer united. Lack of unity stemmed from several factors. For one thing, the WSPU’s estrangement from its original ideals was becoming increasingly evident in the management of its financial affairs. On 50 May, at the Exeter Hall, the WSPU launched a drive to raise £20,000. Mrs Pethick-Lawrence said to the audience, seeking support and donations, ‘If you have an influential position, socially or professionally, we want you … if you are a working woman … we want you’. ¹ No WSPU official would have openly courted the rich during the Union’s Manchester years. On 11 July, Mrs Pethick-Lawrence wrote privately to the wealthy suffragist Mrs Maud Arncliffe-Sennett that the Union would spend at least £6,000 during 1907, and added: ²

This sum of £6000 … can only be raised by persistent organization; by getting as many people as possible on this particular business of raising money and by widening our circle of supporters … in any canvass such as that being undertaken in Paddington, a list should be made of every woman of good position. Her name and address should be tabulated and notes should be placed against her name, which would make it easy to write a letter from Headquarters. The first letter of course should not be an appeal for money, but in this way she could be roped in and made a responsible member of the Union. Will you undertake to see that this is done during the remaining part of the Paddington canvass.