ABSTRACT
Manchester's suburban electorate had a long Radical tradition dating from the creation of suburbs in the mid-nineteenth century. Leicester's suburbia developed much later, presenting late nineteenth-century party managers with the challenge of developing political institutions in almost entirely new communities. The town council's campaign for incorporation was a long process and illustrates the commitment of Liberal leaders to suburban concerns. Liberal council leaders mobilised the full resources of the town council in support of the movement. Initial impressions of Leicester politics would seem to suggest there is much in this type of explanation. Politically the episode is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, the determination of Liberal politicians to bring forward an extension bill, in the face of Conservative hostility, suggests they were not afraid that the incorporation of the suburbs would seriously damage their majority on the council. Secondly, many Conservatives felt the only way to maintain political influence in suburbia was through the existing local board system.
