Suffragettes campaigning at the Chelmsford, Essex by-election

Postcard depicting members of the Women's Social and Political Union campaigning at the Chelmsford, Essex by-election in November 1908. The 11 Suffragettes in replica prison clothing had all served terms of imprisonment for militancy. Standing at the end of the row on the right, wearing a coat, is Flora Drummond, a senior figure in the WSPU.
Handwritten on the front is Chelmsford Nov 1908' and on the back 'By election Chelmsford Nov 1908'. On the balcony of an inn above the women is a male brass band, and banners which read 'Votes For Women' and 'Women's Social and Political Union', with a poster in the window behind proclaiming 'Keep the Liberal Out'. Campaigning to persuade voters to cast their votes against Liberal candidates was a key election tactic of the WSPU. In this case it proved successful as the Liberal MP was defeated by his Conservative opponent.