CHURCHILL (Sir Winston Spencer, 1874-1965, Prime Minister)

Early clerk written letter signed to Councillor Harrop saying that he is "very glad indeed to hear from Mr Burn this morning that you have been elected Chairman of the Executive Committee of our Federation in N. W. Manchester, and I hasten to send you my congratulations. I hear that political activity is very great in the City just now, and I know I an rely upon you to keep everyone up to the mark. I shall look forward to meeting you on my next visit ...", 2 sides 8vo., Colonial Office headed paper, 3rd March

John HARROP(1847-1916) was elected Councillor to the St Clement's Ward as a member of the Liberal Party in 1897 and continued to represent the Ward until 1911 when he was elected an Alderman. He was Lord Mayor of Manchester for the year 1906-7.
When Campbell-Bannerman was succeeded by Asquith in 1908, Churchill was promoted to the Cabinet as President of the Board of Trade. Aged 33, this made him the youngest British Cabinet member since 1866. Newly appointed Cabinet ministers were legally obliged to seek re-election at a by-election; in April, Churchill lost Manchester North to the Conservative candidate by 429 votes. The Liberals then stood him in a by-election in the Scottish safe seat of Dundee, where he won comfortably.

Item Date:  1908

Stock No:  39593