The London Municipal Reform League, a mixture of liberals and socialists, had long called for the establishment of an elected council for the city.

Others, including Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, argued that voters should elect the most competent candidates.

[2] The majority of successful candidates were supporters of the London Municipal Reform League, and after the election, they formed the Progressive Party.

Jane Cobden avoided participating in council business for the first year, in the hope that this would prevent her election from being challenged.

She remained a council member, alongside the alderman Emma Cons, and attended meetings, but neither took any further part in votes.