Lady Nancy Astor was the first woman to
take her seat in the British House of Commons. She won her seat at Plymouth in
a by-election in 1919 when her husband, the previous MP, was elevated to the
House of Lords. She stood as a Conservative.
Because she was a woman it was thought
advisable that she be accompanied by a man when she was canvassing for votes in
the rougher parts of Plymouth, which is a well-known Naval base. Her escort for
this purpose was a Royal Navy officer, in full uniform.
All went well until she knocked at a door
that was opened by a young girl aged 9 or 10. Lady Astor asked if her mother
was at home, but got the reply:
"Mum's out, but she said that if a
lady called with a sailor they were to use the back bedroom and leave a
shilling on the stairs".
© John Welford
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