A 1929 letter in which Winston Churchill refers to Britain’s House of Commons as his “theatre” but contemplates quitting politics will go up for auction in London next week.
In the type-written letter to his friend Sir Frederick Ponsonby, the future war-time prime minister wrote about pursuing “more pleasing and profitable” occupations than being a member of parliament.
Months earlier, in May 1929, the Conservatives had lost power in an election and were replaced by a Labour minority government, although Churchill retained his seat as member of parliament for Epping.
“Churchill is thinking about his next steps,” said Matthew Haley, head of books and manuscripts at Bonham’s auction house.
“He is about to set off on a tour of America, a great holiday with family and he writes to his great friend Ponsonby ‘the House of Commons has always been my theatre’. So he’s not given up on politics just yet.”
Many historians view the decade between 1929 and 1939 as Churchill’s “wilderness years”, although he did remain engaged on several issues, including India and the threat from Adolf Hitler’s Germany, before becoming prime minister in 1940.
He wrote the letter on Aug. 8, 1929 during a trans-Atlantic crossing he took following a debate in parliament about which he said: “It was evident I was almost alone in the house.”
“You must remember the House of Commons has always been my theatre, and if I cannot play an effective part there, it would indeed be time to quit the somewhat wearisome pursuit of politics for the many more pleasing and profitable occupations which lie outside,” Churchill wrote.
The ship, the Empress of Australia liner, docked in Quebec a day later and Churchill went on a coast-to-coast trip across Canada before visiting the United States. There, he dined with Charlie Chaplin and newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst.
Ponsonby, known as “Fritz”, was a court figure who had been equerry to Queen Victoria and joint private secretary to Edward VII and George V.
The letter will feature in an auction at Bonham’s on Sept.15 and is expected to fetch between 4,000 and 6,000 pounds.
(Reporting by Ben Makori and Angus MacSwan, Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
ANTIGONISH, N.S. – Mila Mulroney has been named the 11th chancellor of St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, the alma mater of her husband, former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
Brian Mulroney died Feb. 29 at the age of 84.
Mila Mulroney issued a statement today saying the university in Antigonish, N.S., was the place where her husband was inspired to become involved in politics and his experiences there helped form his values.
She says that over the past 50 years, she has spent many days at the campus and has met many of her husband’s fellow graduates.
The statement says she is “humbled and honoured” to take on her new role.
Dennis Flood, chairman of the university’s board of governors, said Mila Mulroney’s experience as a philanthropist and her international profile will bring “invaluable strengths” to the university.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024
The Northern Super League has fleshed out its front office with four appointments.
Jose Maria Celestino da Costa was named vice-president and head of soccer operations while Marianne Brooks was appointed vice-president of partnerships, Kelly Shouldice as vice-president of brand and content and Joyce Sou as vice-president of finance and business operations.
The new six-team women’s pro league is set to kick off in April.
“Their unique expertise and leadership are crucial as we lay the foundation for not just a successful league in Canada, but one that stands among the top sports leagues in the world,” NSL president Christina Litz said in a statement. “By investing in top-tier talent and infrastructure, the Northern Super League is committed to creating a league that will elevate the game and set new standards for women’s professional soccer globally.”
Da Costa will oversee all on-field matters, including officiating. His resume includes stints with Estoril Praia, a men’s first-division team in Portugal, and the Portuguese Soccer Federation, where he helped develop the Portuguese women’s league.
Brooks spent a decade with Canucks Sports & Entertainment, working in “partnership sales and retention efforts” for the Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Warriors, and Rogers Arena. Most recently, she served as senior director of account management at StellarAlgo, a software company that helps pro sports teams connect with their fans
Shouldice has worked for Corus Entertainment, the Canadian Football League, and most recently as vice-president of Content and Communications at True North Sports & Entertainment, where she managed original content as well as business and hockey communications.
Sou, who was involved in the league’s initial launch, will oversee financial planning, analysis and the league’s expansion strategy in her new role.
—
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
MAYERTHORPE, Alta. – An emergency alert has been issued in an area west of Edmonton for two armed men.
RCMP say the men are on foot after a robbery.
They say people in the area of Mayerthorpe should not open their doors to strangers or pick up hitchhikers.
They say the suspects are dangerous and should not be approached.
One man is described as white, about 30 years-old, five feet 11 inches tall, 205 pounds with dark hair and dark eyes, who was last seen wearing a cowboy hat and black sweater.
The other man is six feet tall, about 220 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a black flat brim hat with red letters.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
