ABSTRACT
After the long, hot summer of 1908, the cooler days of autumn were a welcome relief to Emmeline as she resolved to form another deputation to the House of Commons on 13 October, the day after the reopening of parliament. She was awaiting a reply to a polite letter she had sent to Asquith some time ago, asking if his government intended to carry that autumn session Stanger’s Women’s Enfranchisement Bill which was still before the Commons. On 9 October a negative reply was received. Emmeline had already warned that women would enter the House, ‘and, if possible, the Chamber itself. … Women have a constitutional right, being voteless, to plead their cause in person.’1 The plans were now put into action.
