ABSTRACT
During 1909 Emmeline’s life continued in a similar pattern to that of previous years, namely touring the country to win converts for the cause, speaking at byelections, and short stays in London to lead deputations to parliament. Yet, looking back on her life, she saw 1909 as an important point in the suffrage struggle, partly because of the WSPU decision never again to submit to being classed as ordinary criminals and partly because it was the year when the Liberal government was forced to go on record, publicly, in regard to the oldest of popular rights, the constitutional right of petition. ‘We had long contemplated this step, and now the time seemed ripe for taking it.’2
