Some years ago I came by a copy of a picture of Wilfrid LAWSON, who was hoping to be elected as MP for Cockermouth - on the back of the picture is his election statement, which makes interesting reading (see below). The picture and address is undated but according to his write-up in the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica was sometime between 1886-1900 - the years he represented Cockermouth as its Member of Parliament. To the Electors of the Cockermouth Division Gentlemen, The dissolution again puts a seat in Parliament at your disposal, and, for the third time I now solicit your suffrages. Amongst the few praiseworthy achievements of the late Parliament were the Local Government Act and the Act for providing Free Education for the people. These had my cordial support as far as they went, but I am in favour of extending the principle of Self-Government to Local Councils and of giving the ratepayers a voice in the management of schools which receive grants from the National Exchequer. As regards the former Act, I am also in favour of abolishing the Standing Joint Committee and of transferring its present duties to the County Council. As a Liberal and a Home Ruler I have strenuously opposed the policy adopted by the present Ministry of attempting to govern Ireland by unjust, unequal, and unconstitutional laws. I shall continue to support Mr Gladstone in his efforts to establish a Parliament in Ireland for the administration of purely Irish affairs, as in my opinion the experience of centuries has conclusively shown that there is no other way of effecting a real union of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. I am in favour of what is called "The Newcastle Programme" in all its items, and I trust the early settlement of the Irish question will enable Parliament to deal with the much needed reforms set forth in that programme. All measures calculated to improve the condition and fulfil the just demands of the working classes will have my earnest sympathy. Amongst these I may enumerate a legal Eight Hours Day for Miners, a thorough Reform of the Registration Laws, "One Man One Vote", the Taxation of Royalty and Ground Rents, the Division of Local Rates between Landlord and Tenant, and the Payment of Members of Parliament, as such payment of members would enable the working classes to secure a direct representation in Parliament, more commensurate than has been the case with the magnitude and importance of their interests. My opinions on the Temperance and kindred questions are already known to you, and I need not say how much satisfaction it affords me that, after many years of labour on behalf of what I believe to be the greatest of all reforms before us, I have lived to see the policy of the Direct Popular Veto on the Liquor Traffic officially recognised by the Liberal Party and its leaders. Awaiting your verdict with confidence, I remain, yours faithfully, Wilfrid Lawson -- Cheers, Anne mailto:docwras@yahoo.co.uk The Docwra Family Research Project http://resource.at/docwra