By Press Release
The Isle of Wight Observer published on April 3rd, 1920 tells about the first meeting on the Island of the Middle Classes Union.
The organisation had been formed in 1919 to safeguard property-owners’ rights after many working-class voters were given the right to vote in the Reform Act of 1918. In 1921 it changed its name to the National Citizens Union and became associated with fascism and later anti-Semitism. It disappeared around the outbreak of World War II.
It is to be hoped that the meeting which is to be held at the Town Hall next Thursday afternoon, the 8th. Under the auspices of the Middle Classes Union will be well attended as there must be a large number to whim its objects will directly appeal. With the coming of the “new rich” – those who have made large sums out of the war – that steady plodding section known as the middle class whose income from investments have sadly diminished, were hard hit as they have to keep up appearances and pay the same prices as those earning big money. The new organisation is formed to protect their interests as well as to preserve the Nation’s well being and resist the menace of Bolshevism, which is insidiously invading this country. Amongst the objects are to secure equitable distribution of taxation among all classes; to oppose legislation which unfairly affects the middle classes, ensure that the interests of the consumer are considered in all trade disputes, suppress profiteering and to organise so as to maintain essential public services in any emergency. Who are the Middle Classes? Broadly they are the professional commercial trading and administrative classes and those whose income is derived from pensions or savings who, as citizens, taxpayers and consumers, are subject to the oppression of political and economic extremism. The M.C.U. is non-party, its policy being determined by its members through their elected branch delegates upon the council of the Union, and the minimum subscription is 2s 6d. per annum. The Mayor will take the chair at next week’s meeting at 3 p.m.