Imperial Federation League

An organisation founded in 1884 to promote Imperial Federation, the closer political and economic union of the British Empire. It advocated a federal imperial government in which Britain and the self-governing colonies would be represented, while retaining substantial local autonomy. The League campaigned through publications, meetings, and political lobbying, but failed to secure agreement on a workable federal constitution. It declined after the First World War as the Dominions acquired increasing constitutional independence.