10 Facts About Thorley Smith

Thorley Smith was Britain's first Parliamentary candidate to stand on a platform of women's suffrage.

Thorley Smith stood in the 1906 general election in Wigan, Lancashire.

Thorley Smith lost to the Conservative candidate, but polled more votes than the Liberal.

Thorley Smith replaced Hubert Sweeney, who had been the Women's Suffrage candidate-elect from 1904 to 1905.

Thorley Smith worked in partnership with members of Women's Labour and Suffrage societies, the Lancashire and Committee, and leading members of Wigan's labour movement.

Thorley Smith was the Stonemason's delegate on Wigan Trades and Labour Council and was its treasurer; he chaired the meeting that established the Wigan and District Labour Representation Committee; chaired several labour meetings including an outdoor meeting of the unemployed; he was the first labour member of Wigan Town Council.

Accusations were made that Thorley Smith was acting as the 'cats paw' of women and that if successful then it would lead to 'petticoat' governments.

Thorley Smith received letters of support from MPs Will Crooks and David Shackleton.

Thorley Smith, supported by visiting women speakers, held two or three open-air meetings each evening.

Thorley Smith felt that from the way they had conducted that campaign they could fight better than any other body'.