Do you agree with the view that the argument over the principle of women's enfranchisement had been won by the time the Pankhursts joined the campaign for female suffrage?

Yes, I agree that the principle had been won by 1903 (when the Pankhursts joined). Historian Martin Pugh raises some points that would support this view. <Tab/>Since 1866 the non-militant suffragists had campaigned in conjunction with allies like the Liberal MP John Stuart Mill, at this time (1867-1884) most Conservative MPs who voted were opposed to votes for women but in the period 1884-98 the opposition had changed and now the majority …

…published in 1927 shows how the Press wouldn't give the suffragists any publicity. Montefiore says how she found work in the movement 'depressing' this shows how limited the support for women's suffrage was. <Tab/>However in conclusion, the principle of women's suffrage had been won by 1903 as women had already proved themselves to be capable in the political world, and by the turn of the century attitudes had already started to change.