University archive seeks material relating to 2010 General Election

Major Denis Healey stood as the Labour Party candidate in the 1945 election in the constituency of Pudsey and Otley University of Bristol Library Special Collections

Lt.Col. Frank Byers stood as the Liberal Party candidate in the 1945 election in the constituency of North Dorset University of Bristol Library Special Collections

Right Honourable Harold Macmillan stood as the Conservative Party candidate in the 1945 election in the constituency of Stockton and Thornaby University of Bristol Library Special Collections

Press release issued: 12 April 2010

With the 2010 General Election imminent, the University of Bristol is searching for material to augment its extensive election archive which includes election addresses for every British General Election since 1892, manifestos, fliers and other publicity.

The Special Collections of the University Library is appealing for donations of material published by candidates relating to the 2010 General Election and subsequent Westminster by-elections.

Election addresses, manifestos and related publicity from any constituency and party should be sent to: Special Collections, Arts and Social Sciences Library, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TJ; telephone (0117) 928 8014; email special-collections@bristol.ac.uk

The collection was originally established by the National Liberal Club and since the 1970s has been maintained by the University Library. As well as holding election addresses for every British General Election since 1892, the collection also includes addresses from London County Council elections held between 1889 and 1913, many of the parliamentary by-elections, and European Parliament elections since 1979.

The archive also holds election material relating to a considerable number of prominent twentieth century politicians including election addresses from the 1945 election for Harold Macmillan’s unsuccessful bid for the constituency of Stockton and Thornaby, and Major Denis Healey’s bid for Pudsey and Otley, also unsuccessful. Election addresses for many prominent Prime Ministers and Ministers are also among the holdings.

More recent material includes four boxes of election addresses relating to the 2005 General Election.

Hannah Lowery, archivist in Special Collections said: “This is a fine collection of general election campaign materials, covering all constituencies and parties, which are used by academics, students, the public, parliamentarians and the media.

“With the public’s assistance we hope to collect a broad range of election addresses, manifestos and other publicity for the forthcoming UK general election. If you feel able to help, please send donations of election material in your constituency to Special Collections, Arts and Social Sciences Library, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol.”

The Special Collections of the University Library comprise a rich and diverse range of printed books and journals, archival resources and artefacts in support of the academic work of the University and the wider scholarly community.