Winston Churchill voorspelde de ondergang van de Conservatieve Partij

Intéressante lettre politique de Churchill.

Il affirme ne pas se souvenir d’avoir serré la main de son correspondant avant l’assemblée de la veille, mais il tient à le remercier pour son aimable lettre qu’il a lue avec beaucoup de joie. L’évolution de la controverse fiscale s’est avérée désastreuse pour le parti Conservateur. Il rappelle que le premier jour du débat sur cette question à la Chambre des Communes, il avait averti que cela ne pouvait qu’aboutir à la ruine du Parti, et avait exhorté les Conservateurs à agir fermement pendant qu’il était encore temps. Le mal est maintenant fait.

Transcription : "I do not know whether I had the good fortune to shake hands with you last night among the various gentlemen who were introduced to me before the meeting ; but you will in any case allow me to thank you for your kind letter which I read with much pleasure and encouragement. The course of the fiscal controversy has proved disastrous to the Conservative party. I would remind you that on the very first day that this subject was debated in the House of Commons, I warned them that it could only end in party ruin and urged the Conservative members earnestly to take ferm action while time remained. The harm is now done. The Conservative party for the time being is wholly identified with protection. Their day no doubt will come again ; but it will lag long on the road. Meanwihle, it is the business of free traders to do their duty".