Absolute discipline and unity of action, except in matters specially left open to individual judgment, were enforced on all.

These were the essentials.
But in the period of acute war between the Irish and all other parties which was opening when Redmond entered there was a self-imposed rule that as the English public and English members disapproved and disliked the Irishmen an answering attitude should be adopted: that even private hospitality should be avoided and that the belligerents should behave as if they were quite literally in an enemy's country.
Later, when Mr.Gladstone had adopted the Irish cause and alliance with the Liberal party had begun, the rigour of this attitude was modified.
Many Irish members joined the Liberal clubs and went freely to houses where they were sure of sympathy.

Yet neither of the Redmonds followed far in this direction, and the habit of social isolation which they formed in their early days lasted with them to the end.

If John Redmond ever went to any house in London which was not an Irish home it was by the rarest exception.
For society, Parnell's party depended on themselves and their countrymen and sympathizers.

But they were in no way to be pitied; they were the best of company for one another.