The failure of Conservative women to openly contest the public space has resulted in their marginalisation within studies of late nineteenth century female social action and this is particularly evident in the limited historiography of women's local government experiences. This thesis explores the neglected role of Conservative women and suggests the existing framework of research. structured around organised m-ban philanthropy and the women's suffrage movement fails to accommodate their contribution. Using a local study, based on grass-roots Conservative political action in the rural south east of England, an alternative approach is adopted; one that interweaves the Primrose League and female local government work to enable the re-writing of Conservative women into narratives of public activity.