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.