Here is the Course We Steer

London: National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations, 1945. Political edition," only printing. Pamphlet. This is an extraordinarily fine example of the only printing of the "Political" edition of this striking wartime speech pamphlet. Published in April, 1945, by the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations, this was a campaign piece for the forthcoming General Election, containing Churchill's March 15, 1945 address to the Party Conference at Central Hall, Westminster. It attests to the fact that, as the war in Europe drew toward an inexorable close, the suspended tensions of domestic politics intruded ever more urgently on the politically unified war effort, fracturing the wartime coalition that had acknowledged Churchill as its indispensible Prime Minister.

Having done so much to win the war, Churchill faced frustration of his postwar plans when his wartime government fell to Labour in the General Election of July 1945. He would remain Leader of the Opposition until the General Election of 1951, which returned the Conservative Party to Parliamentary majority and Churchill to Downing Street for his second and final Premiership at the age of 77.

According to Cohen, there were two similar editions - the so-called "Popular" and "Political" editions. The only distinguishing difference is the lack of a title page in the latter. Here is a simply marvelous example of the Political edition. The bright orange wraps are crisp and immaculate. Even the corners are nearly perfect. There is just a faint and small pencil notation on the top right of the front cover (a previous bookseller's price). The contents are bright and flawless. This must be about as good a copy as can be had. Size: 8.5 inches by 5.5 inches and is 12 pages in length.

Reference: Cohen A200.2, Woods A106