It could also be the Raleigh-specific hub issue mentioned in that article. Basically, some Raleigh hubs don't use locknuts, one cone tightens hard against a shoulder on the axle, and the other one is just held in adjustment by the axle nut. Obviously, with the wheel off the bike, there's nothing to keep the cone from moving.

This is a minor issue, since the cone can't loosen up with the axle nut tight, the more important part is the fact that the wheel has to be in the bike in the right direction so that the adjustable cone is being loosened up rather than tightened, because the axle nut can't keep it from tightening. If the wheel's in the wrong way round, the cone can tighten up and jam the hub.