The Bristol Socialist Society was a political organisation in

South West England South West England, or the South West of England, is one of the nine official regions of England, regions of England in the United Kingdom. Additionally, it is one of four regions that altogether make up Southern England. South West England con ...

. The group originated in 1885 as a local affiliate of the

Social Democratic Federation The Social Democratic Federation (SDF) was established as Britain's first organised socialist political party by H. M. Hyndman, and had its first meeting on 7 June 1881. Those joining the SDF included William Morris, George Lansbury, James ...

. However, in 1886, it instead affiliated to the Socialist Union. When that group disbanded, it continued an independent existence until at least 1914.Sally Mullen, ''The Bristol Socialist Society 1885-1914'' The society initially enjoyed a high level of success, holding weekly public meetings and a wide variety of other propaganda events. Its members included Katherine St John Conway,

Dan Irving David Daniel Irving (31 October 1854 – 25 January 1924) was a British socialist activist and Labour Party Member of Parliament. Biography Born in Birmingham, Irving moved to Bristol in 1875, where he began working on the railways. After ...

Enid Stacy Enid Stacy (10 June 1868 – 4 September 1903) was an English socialism, socialist activist. Stacy was born on 10 June 1868 in Westbury, Gloucestershire, Westbury, Gloucestershire, the eldest of the Irish painter Henry Stacy and his wife Rose De ...

, John Gregory,

Ernest Bevin Ernest Bevin (9 March 1881 – 14 April 1951) was a British statesman, trade union leader and Labour Party politician. He co-founded and served as General Secretary of the powerful Transport and General Workers' Union from 1922 to 1940 and ...

, Samuel George Hobson,

Ramsay MacDonald James Ramsay MacDonald (; 12 October 18669 November 1937) was a British statesman and politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The first two of his governments belonged to the Labour Party (UK), Labour Party, where he led ...

and even

Ben Tillett Benjamin Tillett (11 September 1860 – 27 January 1943) was a British socialist, trade union leader and politician. He was a leader of the "new unionism" of 1889, that focused on organizing unskilled workers. He played a major role in foundin ...

References

Defunct political parties in England History of Bristol Political parties established in 1885 Locally based political parties in England {{England-org-stub