CHURCHILL, Winston S.

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Secretarial letter signed, to John Gulland, asking advice for an upcoming campaign speech. Signed by Churchill a week before the January 1910 general election, the letter asks a fellow politician for their advice on whether Churchill should take a position in a political controversy. Early in his career, Churchill often dictated letters for his staff to handwrite, which he then signed.Gulland (1864-1920) served as Liberal MP for Dumfries Burghs from 1906 to 1918 and was Chief Government Whip from 1915 to 1918. Churchill was standing for Dundee in the election on 15 January. Churchill writes, "Will you please tell me how far you think I should go in support of Cameron Corbett in my speech at Glasgow? I shall in any case pay him a high compliment". Archibald Cameron Corbett (1856-1933) was the sitting MP for Glasgow Tradeston and was running for re-election as an Independent Liberal. Gulland was attempting to persuade David Marshall Mason, the official Liberal candidate, to withdraw in order to secure Corbett's victory and avoid splitting the Liberal vote. Churchill continues, "I should like to have your views as to whether I should in so many words support him against Mason".Churchill delivered his speech at St Andrew's Hall, Glasgow, on 12 January, focusing on his two principal policies: free trade and a budget that increased social provision based on higher taxation on the wealthy. Corbett and Mason were on the platform with him. Newspaper reports imply Churchill did not pic

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