CHURCHILL, Winston S. Typescript signed ("Winston S. Churchill"),n.d. [ca. October 1931]. 11 pages, 4to, punch holes top left corner, extensively annotated throughout in pencil. Signed in pencil.
CHURCHILL, Winston S. Typescript signed ("Winston S. Churchill"),n.d. [ca. October 1931]. 11 pages, 4to, punch holes top left corner, extensively annotated throughout in pencil. Signed in pencil.

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CHURCHILL, Winston S. Typescript signed ("Winston S. Churchill"),n.d. [ca. October 1931]. 11 pages, 4to, punch holes top left corner, extensively annotated throughout in pencil. Signed in pencil.

"SOCIALISM AND THE SOCIALIST MOVEMENT HAVE BEEN CONDEMNED BY THE BRITISH NATION"

"IT IS NOT ONLY IN THE CONSTITUENCIES THAT SOCIALISM HAS BEEN ROUTED. IT HAS BEEN ROUTED IN THE PUBLIC MIND." Writing his Second World War memoir, Churchill urged "in Victory: Magnanimity." That attitude is not on display in this rousing celebration of the astounding Tory victory over Labour in the 1931 general election. "Just when we were assured that the whole movement of the world mind was towards Socialism; just when the enormous expected reinforcements of the young women's votes had arrived upon the field, British Socialism as a Parliamentary force has been almost entirely destroyed." He had watched their rise under Keir Hardie, saw them become the "strongest party in the House of Commons and the hope of many short-sighted and ill-informed people on both sides of the Atlantic." But under Ramsey MacDonald's and Arthur Henderson's incompetent stewardship they were crushed. Even with an expanded electorate, Labour lost the popular vote by a 2:1 margin and gave up 231 seats in the House. Churchill calls it "a veritable holocaust of Labour representation."

The people--even amidst the economic distress of the Great Depression--"were angered by the bribes that were offered. They were affronted at being considered mere paupers or children...The whole stock-in-trade of that rather simple, homely, foolish firm, the English Labour Party, was scattered upon the streets, and few were so poor-spirited as to care to pick it up." Citing his father and another great Tory PM he writes, "It vindicates every claim which Disraeli ever made on behalf of working-class psychology...It vindicates the cry of Lord Randolph Churchill, 'Trust the People.'"

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