Was the period 1880 - 1903 one of failure for the suffragists?

... Was the period 1880 - 1903 one of failure for the suffragists? During the period 1880 - 1903, not a great deal was achieved by the suffragists in the quest for the vote for women. This led to Emmeline Pankhurst saying in 1903, that the time from 1880 onwards had been one of failure. She then continued to set up the Women's Social and Political Union. I, however, disagree with this statement as I feel that the knowledge and courage that was gained during this time led to better campaigns later on. In 1880, the Liberal government was elected into power and with them a majority in favour of female suffrage. When debating the third Reform Act, an amendment was included proposing that women had the vote on equal basis with the men. However, a major barrier against this came from the Prime Minister, William Gladstone, who made it clear that he

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