This converted caravan travelled around Liverpool in the winter selling bowls of soup for a farthing to the poor and unemployed. It also acted as a billboard for posters advertising the Clarion newspaper and promoting Socialism. Joseph Goodman, a member of the Social Democratic Federation is shown standing in the centre of the photograph. The caravan was in the charge of R.T. Manson, organiser of the Liverpool Unemployed Association. By 1894, 40% of Liverpool's population were estimated to be living "below the poverty line". In the summer, the caravan was part of the Clarion Camp at Tabley Brook, near Knutsford. In 1896, the same van was used for a Clarion Women's Van Tour organising open air meetings in rural areas. The Clarion Van continued touring until 1929.

Title	Socialist soup van in Liverpool, 1894
Maker	--
Production Date	1894
Format	Photograph
Copyright	--
Holding Institution	TUC Library Collections, London Metropolitan University
Related Objects	--