Letters - FH 193, FH 194 - International Churchill Society

FH 193 “Churchill and Wales”

LONDON—John Campbell, in his article “Winston and the Wizard,” underrates Churchill’s considerable contributions to social reform. As early as 1908, Churchill conceived the unemployment insurance scheme. In 1910, as Home Secretary, he embarked on a radical programme to improve the lot of prisoners. As wartime Prime Minister, he embraced the principles of the Beveridge Report, and during his second term as Prime Minister, he preserved and built on the social reforms of his Labour predecessor, Clement Attlee.

Dai Smith is to be commended for tackling the complexities of the Tonypandy crisis in his article “The Tonypandy Riots, 1910.” His reference to the riots being Churchill’s “nemesis” is, however, perhaps far-fetched. George Isaacs, a senior trades unionist at the time and later chairman of the TUC, said: “Looking back at it now it is difficult to see what else a resolute Home Secretary could have done.”
— Nicholas Gent

FH 194 “Churchill’s Artistic World”

LONDON—I enjoyed reading Allison Leigh’s story about the Graham Sutherland portrait of Winston Churchill. It was well done, but I don’t think Prof. Leigh understands the true reason why the family didn’t like it.

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When Sir Winston was sitting for the portrait, he was still prime minister and had much work to do. Consequently, I had to accompany him to the sittings in order to take dictation. I saw that Sutherland and the PM never did establish a good relationship.

As the sittings continued, Sir Winston grew more and more uptight. As a result, the painting failed to capture Churchill’s warmness and great humanity. I was horrified when I saw the result. It wasn’t really him.
— Jane Williams

Finest Hour 195