I Support......

The Conservative and Unionist Central Office . CHURCHILL, Winston S - I Support.. London: The Conservative and Unionist Central Office (1956) A5 delicate leaflet on thin paper; 1 (2) pp.; with the strap line 'I Support' simply by Sir Winston; In navy blue lettering, and only on one side; overall in remarkable condition considering the ephemeral and delicate nature of the leaflet; with one or two gentle creases otherwise very near fine. A rare piece of Churchill memorabilia, not appearing in commerce that often, it was printed and distributed to party members; to show Sir Winston's support of the prime minister and the decisions he took in the fast-developing Suez Canal crisis. The original letter was sent by Churchill to the chairman of the Woodford Conservative Party, and presumably recipient Forbes or the party obtained permission to do so, or it was drafted for a wider audience from the outset. Churchill initially threw his support behind the actions of the government and the UK's involvement in the tripartite invasion of Egypt, with Israel and France, despite objections from the US and the UN. His letter made his stance clear "I am confident that our American friends will come to realise that, not for the first time, we have acted independently for the common good". He would change his stance as the year went on and late in November of 1956, he was recalled as saying the whole operation was the most "ill-conceived and ill executed imaginable". The relationship with the US was of Churchill's principal concern and he would further say in conversation that he wouldn't have dared [act as Eden did], but if he did, he wouldn't have dared stop. [Woods A139, Cohen A268] . Near Fine. Soft cover. 1st Edition. 1st Printing. 1956.