Harold Laski | Manuscript entitled 'The Future of Britain', 1945, with related material

Harold Laski

i) Manuscript article signed 'The Future of Britain',

written just before the General Election of 6 July 1945 accurately predicting a sweeping victory of the Labour Party, setting out the socialists' programme of nationalisation, health service, education, foreign policy etc., 5 pages, large quarto; together with a postscript written just after the Election, signed and dated London 26 July 1945, analysing the reasons for Labour's success, 2 pages, together with a postscript written just after the Election, signed and dated, London 26th July 1945, agreeing to send the 'actual' 500 words on July 27^th, one page, octavo

[with:] 

ii) letter to antiquarian bookseller, A. Neuhuys, London, dated December 12 1921

iii) postcard to antiquarian bookseller, A. Neuhuys, London, dated 7 February 1924

iv) letter to antiquarian bookseller, A. Neuhuys, London, dated 3 November 1925

v) letter to antiquarian bookseller, A. Neuhuys, London, dated 5 March 1926

vi) letter to antiquarian bookseller, London, dated 27 March 1943

vii) letter from Laski to Mr. Symonds, dated 7 July 1945

Written by the Labour party chairman towards the end of the Second World War, this document embodies Laski's strong socialist and revolutionary ideals. He had worked fervently throughout the war with Churchill, writing speeches and articles promoting the Allies' cause. However, towards the end of the war Laski's popularity waned, and he was given no role in the new Labour government by his political rival, Attlee. He died on 24 March, 1950.

PROVENANCE:

Christie's, London, 3 December 1986, lot 290