CHURCHILL, Winston S.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Autograph letter signed, to the chairman of his constituency Conservative Association following his election. After his first election to the House of Commons, Churchill writes to thank Arthur Faulkner, chairman of the Oldham Conservative Association, for his support.Churchill was elected for Oldham at the September-October 1900 general election (polling was not then held on a single day). This followed his defeat there in the 1899 by-election. Churchill writes, "I have to thank you for the zeal and enthusiasm with which you supported my late candidature, which support resulted in a striking victory, and which constitutes valuable service rendered by you to the Conservative cause & Party".Though this marked the beginning of his political career, Churchill's relationship with the Oldham Conservative Association soon deteriorated. Churchill lost the Association's support as it turned toward protectionism. Churchill's fervent belief in Free Trade led him to leave the Conservative Party for the Liberals in 1904. At the next election he switched seats to Manchester North West and was elected as a Liberal.Provenance: the collection of Steve Forbes, chairman of Forbes Magazine, and presidential candidate in the 1996 and 2000 US elections.

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